Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Raleigh, NC vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Raleigh, NC and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$110,000 vs $154,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$106,796 vs $82,796
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$94,239 vs $69,388
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $110,000 | $154,000▲ | -$44,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $84,700 | $118,580▲ | -$33,880 |
| 75th Percentile | $140,800 | $197,120▲ | -$56,320 |
| 90th Percentile | $176,000 | $246,400▲ | -$70,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 186 | -83 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 9.3% | -4.800000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $106,796▲ | $82,796 | +$24,000 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $97,066 | $129,062▲ | -$31,996 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $94,239▲ | $69,388 | +$24,851 |
| Total Employment | 17,600 | 41,600 | -24,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $44,000 more (median: $110,000 vs $154,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 186), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($106,796 vs $82,796 equivalent). Raleigh, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% 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.