Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in San Francisco, CA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$95,000 vs $75,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$51,075 vs $60,484
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$42,804 vs $55,887
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $95,000▲ | $75,000 | +$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $72,000▲ | $57,000 | +$15,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $123,000▲ | $97,000 | +$26,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $155,000▲ | $122,000 | +$33,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 124 | +62 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $51,075 | $60,484▲ | -$9,409 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $79,616▲ | $69,300 | +$10,316 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $42,804 | $55,887▲ | -$13,083 |
| Total Employment | 18,000 | 14,000 | +4,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $20,000 more (median: $95,000 vs $75,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($51,075 vs $60,484 equivalent). Austin, TX 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.