Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: Memphis, TN vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in Memphis, TN and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$35,000 vs $65,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$42,169 vs $34,946
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$38,964 vs $29,287
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $35,000 | $65,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $26,950 | $50,050▲ | -$23,100 |
| 75th Percentile | $44,800 | $83,200▲ | -$38,400 |
| 90th Percentile | $56,000 | $104,000▲ | -$48,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 186 | -103 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $42,169▲ | $34,946 | +$7,223 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $32,340 | $54,474▲ | -$22,134 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $38,964▲ | $29,287 | +$9,677 |
| Total Employment | 20,000 | 130,000 | -110,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $30,000 more (median: $35,000 vs $65,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 186), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($42,169 vs $34,946 equivalent). Memphis, TN 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.