Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: Memphis, TN vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in Memphis, TN and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$55,000 vs $95,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$66,265 vs $51,075
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$61,229 vs $42,804
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $55,000 | $95,000▲ | -$40,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $42,000 | $72,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $71,000 | $123,000▲ | -$52,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $89,000 | $155,000▲ | -$66,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 186 | -103 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $66,265▲ | $51,075 | +$15,190 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $50,820 | $79,616▲ | -$28,796 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $61,229▲ | $42,804 | +$18,425 |
| Total Employment | 6,000 | 18,000 | -12,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $40,000 more (median: $55,000 vs $95,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 186), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($66,265 vs $51,075 equivalent). Memphis, TN has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.