Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: San Diego, CA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in San Diego, CA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$128,000 vs $154,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Diego, CA
$84,211 vs $82,796
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Diego, CA
$70,574 vs $69,388
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $128,000 | $154,000▲ | -$26,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $98,560 | $118,580▲ | -$20,020 |
| 75th Percentile | $163,840 | $197,120▲ | -$33,280 |
| 90th Percentile | $204,800 | $246,400▲ | -$41,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 186 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3%▲ | 9.3% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $84,211▲ | $82,796 | +$1,415 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $107,273 | $129,062▲ | -$21,789 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $70,574▲ | $69,388 | +$1,186 |
| Total Employment | 19,200 | 41,600 | -22,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $26,000 more (median: $128,000 vs $154,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 186), San Diego, CA provides better purchasing power ($84,211 vs $82,796 equivalent). San Francisco, CA has the lower state tax rate (9.3% 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.