Financial Analyst · Salary Comparison · 2026
Financial Analyst Salary: San Diego, CA vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Financial Analysts in San Diego, CA and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$95,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$62,500 vs $64,815
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$52,379 vs $59,889
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $95,000 | $105,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $70,000 | $78,000▲ | -$8,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $124,000 | $138,000▲ | -$14,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $159,000 | $177,000▲ | -$18,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $62,500 | $64,815▲ | -$2,315 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $79,616 | $97,020▲ | -$17,404 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $52,379 | $59,889▲ | -$7,510 |
| Total Employment | 9,000 | 10,000 | -1,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $10,000 more (median: $95,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($62,500 vs $64,815 equivalent). Seattle, WA 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.