College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in San Francisco, CA and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$96,000 vs $74,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$51,613 vs $57,813
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$43,255 vs $51,068
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $96,000▲ | $74,000 | +$22,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,920▲ | $56,980 | +$16,940 |
| 75th Percentile | $122,880▲ | $94,720 | +$28,160 |
| 90th Percentile | $153,600▲ | $118,400 | +$35,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 128 | +58 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 4.4%▲ | +4.9% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $51,613 | $57,813▲ | -$6,200 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $80,455▲ | $65,367 | +$15,088 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $43,255 | $51,068▲ | -$7,813 |
| Total Employment | 78,000 | 42,000 | +36,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $22,000 more (median: $96,000 vs $74,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($51,613 vs $57,813 equivalent). Denver, CO has the lower state tax rate (4.4% 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.