Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in San Francisco, CA and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$65,000 vs $50,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$34,946 vs $39,063
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$29,287 vs $34,505
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $65,000▲ | $50,000 | +$15,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,050▲ | $38,500 | +$11,550 |
| 75th Percentile | $83,200▲ | $64,000 | +$19,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $104,000▲ | $80,000 | +$24,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 128 | +58 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 4.4%▲ | +4.9% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $34,946 | $39,063▲ | -$4,117 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $54,474▲ | $44,167 | +$10,307 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $29,287 | $34,505▲ | -$5,218 |
| Total Employment | 130,000 | 70,000 | +60,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $15,000 more (median: $65,000 vs $50,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($34,946 vs $39,063 equivalent). Denver, CO has the lower state tax rate (4.4% 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.