Business Analyst · Salary Comparison · 2026
Business Analyst Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Business Analysts 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
$119,000 vs $95,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$63,978 vs $76,613
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$53,618 vs $70,790
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $119,000▲ | $95,000 | +$24,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $91,630▲ | $73,150 | +$18,480 |
| 75th Percentile | $152,320▲ | $121,600 | +$30,720 |
| 90th Percentile | $190,400▲ | $152,000 | +$38,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 124 | +62 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $63,978 | $76,613▲ | -$12,635 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $99,730▲ | $87,780 | +$11,950 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $53,618 | $70,790▲ | -$17,172 |
| Total Employment | 78,000 | 57,000 | +21,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $24,000 more (median: $119,000 vs $95,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($63,978 vs $76,613 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.