Business Analyst · Salary Comparison · 2026
Business Analyst Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Business Analysts in Los Angeles, CA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$102,000 vs $119,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Francisco, CA
$58,960 vs $63,978
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Francisco, CA
$49,412 vs $53,618
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $102,000 | $119,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,540 | $91,630▲ | -$13,090 |
| 75th Percentile | $130,560 | $152,320▲ | -$21,760 |
| 90th Percentile | $163,200 | $190,400▲ | -$27,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 186 | -13 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3%▲ | 9.3% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $58,960 | $63,978▲ | -$5,018 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $85,483 | $99,730▲ | -$14,247 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $49,412 | $53,618▲ | -$4,206 |
| Total Employment | 72,000 | 78,000 | -6,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $17,000 more (median: $102,000 vs $119,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 186), San Francisco, CA provides better purchasing power ($58,960 vs $63,978 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.