Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Houston, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Houston, TX and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$113,000 vs $154,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$105,607 vs $82,796
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$97,581 vs $69,388
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $113,000 | $154,000▲ | -$41,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $87,010 | $118,580▲ | -$31,570 |
| 75th Percentile | $144,640 | $197,120▲ | -$52,480 |
| 90th Percentile | $180,800 | $246,400▲ | -$65,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 186 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $105,607▲ | $82,796 | +$22,811 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $104,412 | $129,062▲ | -$24,650 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $97,581▲ | $69,388 | +$28,193 |
| Total Employment | 22,400 | 41,600 | -19,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $41,000 more (median: $113,000 vs $154,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 186), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($105,607 vs $82,796 equivalent). Houston, 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.