Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: Raleigh, NC vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in Raleigh, NC and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$46,000 vs $65,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$44,660 vs $34,946
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$39,409 vs $29,287
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $46,000 | $65,000▲ | -$19,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $35,420 | $50,050▲ | -$14,630 |
| 75th Percentile | $58,880 | $83,200▲ | -$24,320 |
| 90th Percentile | $73,600 | $104,000▲ | -$30,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 186 | -83 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 9.3% | -4.800000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $44,660▲ | $34,946 | +$9,714 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $40,591 | $54,474▲ | -$13,883 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $39,409▲ | $29,287 | +$10,122 |
| Total Employment | 55,000 | 130,000 | -75,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $19,000 more (median: $46,000 vs $65,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 186), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($44,660 vs $34,946 equivalent). Raleigh, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% 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.