Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: Raleigh, NC vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in Raleigh, NC and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$68,000 vs $95,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$66,019 vs $51,075
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$58,257 vs $42,804
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $68,000 | $95,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $52,000 | $72,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $88,000 | $123,000▲ | -$35,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $111,000 | $155,000▲ | -$44,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 186 | -83 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 9.3% | -4.800000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $66,019▲ | $51,075 | +$14,944 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $60,005 | $79,616▲ | -$19,611 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $58,257▲ | $42,804 | +$15,453 |
| Total Employment | 10,000 | 18,000 | -8,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $27,000 more (median: $68,000 vs $95,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 186), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($66,019 vs $51,075 equivalent). Raleigh, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% vs 9.3%).
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.