Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: Houston, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in Houston, TX and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$47,000 vs $65,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$43,925 vs $34,946
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$40,587 vs $29,287
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $47,000 | $65,000▲ | -$18,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,190 | $50,050▲ | -$13,860 |
| 75th Percentile | $60,160 | $83,200▲ | -$23,040 |
| 90th Percentile | $75,200 | $104,000▲ | -$28,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 186 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $43,925▲ | $34,946 | +$8,979 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $43,428 | $54,474▲ | -$11,046 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $40,587▲ | $29,287 | +$11,300 |
| Total Employment | 70,000 | 130,000 | -60,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $18,000 more (median: $47,000 vs $65,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 186), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($43,925 vs $34,946 equivalent). Houston, 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.