Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: El Paso, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in El Paso, TX and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$77,000 vs $154,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ El Paso, TX
$90,588 vs $82,796
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ El Paso, TX
$83,704 vs $69,388
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $77,000 | $154,000▲ | -$77,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,290 | $118,580▲ | -$59,290 |
| 75th Percentile | $98,560 | $197,120▲ | -$98,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $123,200 | $246,400▲ | -$123,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 186 | -101 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $90,588▲ | $82,796 | +$7,792 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $71,148 | $129,062▲ | -$57,914 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $83,704▲ | $69,388 | +$14,316 |
| Total Employment | 4,800 | 41,600 | -36,800 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $77,000 more (median: $77,000 vs $154,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 186), El Paso, TX provides better purchasing power ($90,588 vs $82,796 equivalent). El Paso, 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.