Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: Nashville, TN vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in Nashville, TN and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$44,000 vs $65,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Nashville, TN
$40,000 vs $34,946
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Nashville, TN
$36,960 vs $29,287
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $44,000 | $65,000▲ | -$21,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,880 | $50,050▲ | -$16,170 |
| 75th Percentile | $56,320 | $83,200▲ | -$26,880 |
| 90th Percentile | $70,400 | $104,000▲ | -$33,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 186 | -76 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $40,000▲ | $34,946 | +$5,054 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $40,656 | $54,474▲ | -$13,818 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $36,960▲ | $29,287 | +$7,673 |
| Total Employment | 45,000 | 130,000 | -85,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $21,000 more (median: $44,000 vs $65,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 186), Nashville, TN provides better purchasing power ($40,000 vs $34,946 equivalent). Nashville, 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.