Financial Analyst · Salary Comparison · 2026
Financial Analyst Salary: Houston, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Financial Analysts in Houston, TX and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$92,000 vs $112,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$85,981 vs $60,215
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$79,447 vs $50,465
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $92,000 | $112,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $68,000 | $82,000▲ | -$14,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $120,000 | $148,000▲ | -$28,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $155,000 | $190,000▲ | -$35,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 186 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $85,981▲ | $60,215 | +$25,766 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $85,008 | $93,864▲ | -$8,856 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $79,447▲ | $50,465 | +$28,982 |
| Total Employment | 15,000 | 14,000 | +1,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $20,000 more (median: $92,000 vs $112,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 186), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($85,981 vs $60,215 equivalent). Houston, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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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.