Financial Advisor · Salary Comparison · 2026
Financial Advisor Salary: San Diego, CA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Financial Advisors in San Diego, CA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Diego, CA
$104,000 vs $101,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$68,421 vs $81,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$57,341 vs $75,261
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $104,000▲ | $101,000 | +$3,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,080▲ | $77,770 | +$2,310 |
| 75th Percentile | $133,120▲ | $129,280 | +$3,840 |
| 90th Percentile | $166,400▲ | $161,600 | +$4,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 124 | +28 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $68,421 | $81,452▲ | -$13,031 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $87,159 | $93,324▲ | -$6,165 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $57,341 | $75,261▲ | -$17,920 |
| Total Employment | 19,200 | 30,400 | -11,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Diego, CA pays $3,000 more (median: $104,000 vs $101,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($68,421 vs $81,452 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.