College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Raleigh, NC vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors 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
$69,000 vs $96,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$66,990 vs $51,613
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$59,114 vs $43,255
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $69,000 | $96,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $53,130 | $73,920▲ | -$20,790 |
| 75th Percentile | $88,320 | $122,880▲ | -$34,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $110,400 | $153,600▲ | -$43,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 186 | -83 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 9.3% | -4.800000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $66,990▲ | $51,613 | +$15,377 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $60,887 | $80,455▲ | -$19,568 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $59,114▲ | $43,255 | +$15,859 |
| Total Employment | 33,000 | 78,000 | -45,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $27,000 more (median: $69,000 vs $96,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 186), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($66,990 vs $51,613 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.