Financial Analyst · Salary Comparison · 2026
Financial Analyst Salary: Salt Lake City, UT vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Financial Analysts in Salt Lake City, UT and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$82,000 vs $112,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$73,214 vs $60,215
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$64,504 vs $50,465
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $82,000 | $112,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $61,000 | $82,000▲ | -$21,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $107,000 | $148,000▲ | -$41,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $138,000 | $190,000▲ | -$52,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 186 | -74 |
| State Income Tax | 4.65%▲ | 9.3% | -4.65% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $73,214▲ | $60,215 | +$12,999 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $72,245 | $93,864▲ | -$21,619 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $64,504▲ | $50,465 | +$14,039 |
| Total Employment | 7,000 | 14,000 | -7,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Salt Lake City, UT minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $30,000 more (median: $82,000 vs $112,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 186), Salt Lake City, UT provides better purchasing power ($73,214 vs $60,215 equivalent). Salt Lake City, UT has the lower state tax rate (4.65% vs 9.3%).
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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.