Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: San Diego, CA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in San Diego, CA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Diego, CA
$128,000 vs $123,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$84,211 vs $99,194
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$70,574 vs $91,655
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $128,000▲ | $123,000 | +$5,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $98,560▲ | $94,710 | +$3,850 |
| 75th Percentile | $163,840▲ | $157,440 | +$6,400 |
| 90th Percentile | $204,800▲ | $196,800 | +$8,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 124 | +28 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $84,211 | $99,194▲ | -$14,983 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $107,273 | $113,652▲ | -$6,379 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $70,574 | $91,655▲ | -$21,081 |
| Total Employment | 19,200 | 30,400 | -11,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Diego, CA pays $5,000 more (median: $128,000 vs $123,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($84,211 vs $99,194 equivalent). Austin, 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.