Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: San Diego, CA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in San Diego, CA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$54,000 vs $65,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Diego, CA
$35,526 vs $34,946
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Diego, CA
$29,774 vs $29,287
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $54,000 | $65,000▲ | -$11,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $41,580 | $50,050▲ | -$8,470 |
| 75th Percentile | $69,120 | $83,200▲ | -$14,080 |
| 90th Percentile | $86,400 | $104,000▲ | -$17,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 186 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3%▲ | 9.3% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $35,526▲ | $34,946 | +$580 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $45,256 | $54,474▲ | -$9,218 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $29,774▲ | $29,287 | +$487 |
| Total Employment | 60,000 | 130,000 | -70,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $11,000 more (median: $54,000 vs $65,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 186), San Diego, CA provides better purchasing power ($35,526 vs $34,946 equivalent). San Francisco, CA has the lower state tax rate (9.3% 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.