Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Memphis, TN vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Memphis, TN and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$84,000 vs $154,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$101,205 vs $82,796
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$93,513 vs $69,388
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $84,000 | $154,000▲ | -$70,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,680 | $118,580▲ | -$53,900 |
| 75th Percentile | $107,520 | $197,120▲ | -$89,600 |
| 90th Percentile | $134,400 | $246,400▲ | -$112,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 186 | -103 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $101,205▲ | $82,796 | +$18,409 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $77,616 | $129,062▲ | -$51,446 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $93,513▲ | $69,388 | +$24,125 |
| Total Employment | 6,400 | 41,600 | -35,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $70,000 more (median: $84,000 vs $154,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 186), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($101,205 vs $82,796 equivalent). Memphis, TN 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.