Financial Analyst · Salary Comparison · 2026
Financial Analyst Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Financial Analysts 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
$112,000 vs $90,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$60,215 vs $70,313
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$50,465 vs $62,110
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $112,000▲ | $90,000 | +$22,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,000▲ | $66,000 | +$16,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $148,000▲ | $118,000 | +$30,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $190,000▲ | $152,000 | +$38,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 128 | +58 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 4.4%▲ | +4.9% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $60,215 | $70,313▲ | -$10,098 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $93,864▲ | $79,501 | +$14,363 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $50,465 | $62,110▲ | -$11,645 |
| Total Employment | 14,000 | 8,000 | +6,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $22,000 more (median: $112,000 vs $90,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($60,215 vs $70,313 equivalent). Denver, CO has the lower state tax rate (4.4% 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.