Investment Banker · Salary Comparison · 2026
Investment Banker Salary: Raleigh, NC vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Investment Bankers in Raleigh, NC and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$138,000 vs $193,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$133,981 vs $103,763
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$118,227 vs $86,961
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $138,000 | $193,000▲ | -$55,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $106,260 | $148,610▲ | -$42,350 |
| 75th Percentile | $176,640 | $247,040▲ | -$70,400 |
| 90th Percentile | $220,800 | $308,800▲ | -$88,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 186 | -83 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 9.3% | -4.800000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $133,981▲ | $103,763 | +$30,218 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $121,774 | $161,747▲ | -$39,973 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $118,227▲ | $86,961 | +$31,266 |
| Total Employment | 17,600 | 41,600 | -24,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $55,000 more (median: $138,000 vs $193,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 186), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($133,981 vs $103,763 equivalent). Raleigh, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% vs 9.3%).
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.