Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Dallas, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Dallas, TX and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$116,000 vs $154,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Dallas, TX
$103,571 vs $82,796
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Dallas, TX
$95,700 vs $69,388
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Dallas, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $116,000 | $154,000▲ | -$38,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $89,320 | $118,580▲ | -$29,260 |
| 75th Percentile | $148,480 | $197,120▲ | -$48,640 |
| 90th Percentile | $185,600 | $246,400▲ | -$60,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 186 | -74 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $103,571▲ | $82,796 | +$20,775 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $107,184 | $129,062▲ | -$21,878 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $95,700▲ | $69,388 | +$26,312 |
| Total Employment | 28,000 | 41,600 | -13,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Dallas, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $38,000 more (median: $116,000 vs $154,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 186), Dallas, TX provides better purchasing power ($103,571 vs $82,796 equivalent). Dallas, 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.