Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: Austin, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in Austin, TX and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$52,000 vs $65,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$41,935 vs $34,946
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$38,748 vs $29,287
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $52,000 | $65,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $40,040 | $50,050▲ | -$10,010 |
| 75th Percentile | $66,560 | $83,200▲ | -$16,640 |
| 90th Percentile | $83,200 | $104,000▲ | -$20,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 186 | -62 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $41,935▲ | $34,946 | +$6,989 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $48,048 | $54,474▲ | -$6,426 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $38,748▲ | $29,287 | +$9,461 |
| Total Employment | 95,000 | 130,000 | -35,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $13,000 more (median: $52,000 vs $65,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 186), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($41,935 vs $34,946 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.