Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: Salt Lake City, UT vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in Salt Lake City, UT and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$65,000 vs $95,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$58,036 vs $51,075
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$51,131 vs $42,804
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $65,000 | $95,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,000 | $72,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $84,000 | $123,000▲ | -$39,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $106,000 | $155,000▲ | -$49,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 186 | -74 |
| State Income Tax | 4.65%▲ | 9.3% | -4.65% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $58,036▲ | $51,075 | +$6,961 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $57,267 | $79,616▲ | -$22,349 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $51,131▲ | $42,804 | +$8,327 |
| Total Employment | 9,000 | 18,000 | -9,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Salt Lake City, UT minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $30,000 more (median: $65,000 vs $95,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 186), Salt Lake City, UT provides better purchasing power ($58,036 vs $51,075 equivalent). Salt Lake City, UT has the lower state tax rate (4.65% 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.