Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Phoenix, AZ vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Phoenix, AZ and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$107,000 vs $154,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$103,883 vs $82,796
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$93,588 vs $69,388
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $107,000 | $154,000▲ | -$47,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,390 | $118,580▲ | -$36,190 |
| 75th Percentile | $136,960 | $197,120▲ | -$60,160 |
| 90th Percentile | $171,200 | $246,400▲ | -$75,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 186 | -83 |
| State Income Tax | 2.5%▲ | 9.3% | -6.800000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $103,883▲ | $82,796 | +$21,087 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $96,396 | $129,062▲ | -$32,666 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $93,588▲ | $69,388 | +$24,200 |
| Total Employment | 20,000 | 41,600 | -21,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Phoenix, AZ minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $47,000 more (median: $107,000 vs $154,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 186), Phoenix, AZ provides better purchasing power ($103,883 vs $82,796 equivalent). Phoenix, AZ has the lower state tax rate (2.5% 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.