College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: San Francisco, CA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in San Francisco, CA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$96,000 vs $92,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Francisco, CA
$51,613 vs $49,198
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Francisco, CA
$43,255 vs $42,345
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $96,000▲ | $92,000 | +$4,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,920▲ | $70,840 | +$3,080 |
| 75th Percentile | $122,880▲ | $117,760 | +$5,120 |
| 90th Percentile | $153,600▲ | $147,200 | +$6,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 187 | -1 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 6.85%▲ | +2.450000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $51,613▲ | $49,198 | +$2,415 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $80,455▲ | $79,185 | +$1,270 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $43,255▲ | $42,345 | +$910 |
| Total Employment | 78,000 | 102,000 | -24,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $4,000 more (median: $96,000 vs $92,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 187), San Francisco, CA provides better purchasing power ($51,613 vs $49,198 equivalent). New York, NY has the lower state tax rate (6.85% 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.