Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in San Francisco, CA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$65,000 vs $52,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$34,946 vs $41,935
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$29,287 vs $38,748
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $65,000▲ | $52,000 | +$13,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,050▲ | $40,040 | +$10,010 |
| 75th Percentile | $83,200▲ | $66,560 | +$16,640 |
| 90th Percentile | $104,000▲ | $83,200 | +$20,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 124 | +62 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $34,946 | $41,935▲ | -$6,989 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $54,474▲ | $48,048 | +$6,426 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $29,287 | $38,748▲ | -$9,461 |
| Total Employment | 130,000 | 95,000 | +35,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $13,000 more (median: $65,000 vs $52,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($34,946 vs $41,935 equivalent). Austin, TX 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.