Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in San Francisco, CA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$154,000 vs $123,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$82,796 vs $99,194
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$69,388 vs $91,655
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $154,000▲ | $123,000 | +$31,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $118,580▲ | $94,710 | +$23,870 |
| 75th Percentile | $197,120▲ | $157,440 | +$39,680 |
| 90th Percentile | $246,400▲ | $196,800 | +$49,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 124 | +62 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $82,796 | $99,194▲ | -$16,398 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $129,062▲ | $113,652 | +$15,410 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $69,388 | $91,655▲ | -$22,267 |
| Total Employment | 41,600 | 30,400 | +11,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $31,000 more (median: $154,000 vs $123,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($82,796 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.