Lawyer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Lawyer Salary: Houston, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Lawyers in Houston, TX and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$145,000 vs $195,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$135,514 vs $104,839
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$125,215 vs $87,862
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $145,000 | $195,000▲ | -$50,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $102,000 | $138,000▲ | -$36,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $197,000 | $265,000▲ | -$68,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $260,000 | $350,000▲ | -$90,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 186 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $135,514▲ | $104,839 | +$30,675 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $133,980 | $163,423▲ | -$29,443 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $125,215▲ | $87,862 | +$37,353 |
| Total Employment | 10,000 | 6,000 | +4,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $50,000 more (median: $145,000 vs $195,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 186), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($135,514 vs $104,839 equivalent). Houston, 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.