Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Austin, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Austin, TX and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$123,000 vs $154,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$99,194 vs $82,796
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$91,655 vs $69,388
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $123,000 | $154,000▲ | -$31,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $94,710 | $118,580▲ | -$23,870 |
| 75th Percentile | $157,440 | $197,120▲ | -$39,680 |
| 90th Percentile | $196,800 | $246,400▲ | -$49,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 186 | -62 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $99,194▲ | $82,796 | +$16,398 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $113,652 | $129,062▲ | -$15,410 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $91,655▲ | $69,388 | +$22,267 |
| Total Employment | 30,400 | 41,600 | -11,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $31,000 more (median: $123,000 vs $154,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 186), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($99,194 vs $82,796 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.