College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Houston, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Houston, TX and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$70,000 vs $96,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$65,421 vs $51,613
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$60,449 vs $43,255
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $70,000 | $96,000▲ | -$26,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $53,900 | $73,920▲ | -$20,020 |
| 75th Percentile | $89,600 | $122,880▲ | -$33,280 |
| 90th Percentile | $112,000 | $153,600▲ | -$41,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 186 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $65,421▲ | $51,613 | +$13,808 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $64,680 | $80,455▲ | -$15,775 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $60,449▲ | $43,255 | +$17,194 |
| Total Employment | 42,000 | 78,000 | -36,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $26,000 more (median: $70,000 vs $96,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 186), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($65,421 vs $51,613 equivalent). Houston, 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.