Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: Indianapolis, IN vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in Indianapolis, IN and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$40,000 vs $65,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$44,444 vs $34,946
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$39,773 vs $29,287
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $40,000 | $65,000▲ | -$25,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,800 | $50,050▲ | -$19,250 |
| 75th Percentile | $51,200 | $83,200▲ | -$32,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $64,000 | $104,000▲ | -$40,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 186 | -96 |
| State Income Tax | 3.15%▲ | 9.3% | -6.15% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $44,444▲ | $34,946 | +$9,498 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $35,796 | $54,474▲ | -$18,678 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $39,773▲ | $29,287 | +$10,486 |
| Total Employment | 37,500 | 130,000 | -92,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Indianapolis, IN minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $25,000 more (median: $40,000 vs $65,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 186), Indianapolis, IN provides better purchasing power ($44,444 vs $34,946 equivalent). Indianapolis, IN has the lower state tax rate (3.15% 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.