Cloud Architect · Salary Comparison · 2026
Cloud Architect Salary: Raleigh, NC vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Cloud Architects in Raleigh, NC and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$119,000 vs $166,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$115,534 vs $89,247
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$101,950 vs $74,795
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $119,000 | $166,000▲ | -$47,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $91,630 | $127,820▲ | -$36,190 |
| 75th Percentile | $152,320 | $212,480▲ | -$60,160 |
| 90th Percentile | $190,400 | $265,600▲ | -$75,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 186 | -83 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 9.3% | -4.800000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $115,534▲ | $89,247 | +$26,287 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $105,008 | $139,119▲ | -$34,111 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $101,950▲ | $74,795 | +$27,155 |
| Total Employment | 17,600 | 41,600 | -24,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $47,000 more (median: $119,000 vs $166,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 186), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($115,534 vs $89,247 equivalent). Raleigh, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% 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.