Lawyer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Lawyer Salary: Austin, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Lawyers in Austin, TX and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$142,000 vs $195,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$114,516 vs $104,839
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$105,813 vs $87,862
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $142,000 | $195,000▲ | -$53,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $99,000 | $138,000▲ | -$39,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $192,000 | $265,000▲ | -$73,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $255,000 | $350,000▲ | -$95,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 186 | -62 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $114,516▲ | $104,839 | +$9,677 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $131,208 | $163,423▲ | -$32,215 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $105,813▲ | $87,862 | +$17,951 |
| Total Employment | 5,000 | 6,000 | -1,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $53,000 more (median: $142,000 vs $195,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 186), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($114,516 vs $104,839 equivalent). Austin, 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.