Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Indianapolis, IN vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Indianapolis, IN and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$95,000 vs $154,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$105,556 vs $82,796
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$94,461 vs $69,388
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $95,000 | $154,000▲ | -$59,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,150 | $118,580▲ | -$45,430 |
| 75th Percentile | $121,600 | $197,120▲ | -$75,520 |
| 90th Percentile | $152,000 | $246,400▲ | -$94,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 186 | -96 |
| State Income Tax | 3.15%▲ | 9.3% | -6.15% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $105,556▲ | $82,796 | +$22,760 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $85,015 | $129,062▲ | -$44,047 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $94,461▲ | $69,388 | +$25,073 |
| Total Employment | 12,000 | 41,600 | -29,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Indianapolis, IN minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $59,000 more (median: $95,000 vs $154,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 186), Indianapolis, IN provides better purchasing power ($105,556 vs $82,796 equivalent). Indianapolis, IN has the lower state tax rate (3.15% 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.