Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Columbus, OH vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Columbus, OH and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$99,000 vs $154,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Columbus, OH
$108,791 vs $82,796
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Columbus, OH
$96,512 vs $69,388
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Columbus, OH | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $99,000 | $154,000▲ | -$55,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $76,230 | $118,580▲ | -$42,350 |
| 75th Percentile | $126,720 | $197,120▲ | -$70,400 |
| 90th Percentile | $158,400 | $246,400▲ | -$88,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 186 | -95 |
| State Income Tax | 3.99%▲ | 9.3% | -5.3100000000000005% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $108,791▲ | $82,796 | +$25,995 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $87,826 | $129,062▲ | -$41,236 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $96,512▲ | $69,388 | +$27,124 |
| Total Employment | 12,800 | 41,600 | -28,800 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Columbus, OH minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $55,000 more (median: $99,000 vs $154,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 91 vs 186), Columbus, OH provides better purchasing power ($108,791 vs $82,796 equivalent). Columbus, OH has the lower state tax rate (3.99% 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.