College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors 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
$96,000 vs $77,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$51,613 vs $62,097
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$43,255 vs $57,377
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $96,000▲ | $77,000 | +$19,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,920▲ | $59,290 | +$14,630 |
| 75th Percentile | $122,880▲ | $98,560 | +$24,320 |
| 90th Percentile | $153,600▲ | $123,200 | +$30,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 124 | +62 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $51,613 | $62,097▲ | -$10,484 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $80,455▲ | $71,148 | +$9,307 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $43,255 | $57,377▲ | -$14,122 |
| 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 $19,000 more (median: $96,000 vs $77,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($51,613 vs $62,097 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.