Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in San Francisco, CA and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$95,000 vs $85,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$51,075 vs $52,469
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$42,804 vs $48,481
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $95,000▲ | $85,000 | +$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $72,000▲ | $65,000 | +$7,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $123,000▲ | $110,000 | +$13,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $155,000▲ | $138,000 | +$17,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 162 | +24 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $51,075 | $52,469▲ | -$1,394 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $79,616▲ | $78,540 | +$1,076 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $42,804 | $48,481▲ | -$5,677 |
| Total Employment | 18,000 | 16,000 | +2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $10,000 more (median: $95,000 vs $85,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($51,075 vs $52,469 equivalent). Seattle, WA 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.