Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: Dallas, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in Dallas, TX and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$49,000 vs $65,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Dallas, TX
$43,750 vs $34,946
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Dallas, TX
$40,425 vs $29,287
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Dallas, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $49,000 | $65,000▲ | -$16,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $37,730 | $50,050▲ | -$12,320 |
| 75th Percentile | $62,720 | $83,200▲ | -$20,480 |
| 90th Percentile | $78,400 | $104,000▲ | -$25,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 186 | -74 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $43,750▲ | $34,946 | +$8,804 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $45,276 | $54,474▲ | -$9,198 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $40,425▲ | $29,287 | +$11,138 |
| Total Employment | 87,500 | 130,000 | -42,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Dallas, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $16,000 more (median: $49,000 vs $65,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 186), Dallas, TX provides better purchasing power ($43,750 vs $34,946 equivalent). Dallas, 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.