Lawyer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Lawyer Salary: Memphis, TN vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Lawyers in Memphis, TN and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$98,000 vs $195,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$118,072 vs $104,839
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$109,099 vs $87,862
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $98,000 | $195,000▲ | -$97,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $69,000 | $138,000▲ | -$69,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $133,000 | $265,000▲ | -$132,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $176,000 | $350,000▲ | -$174,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 186 | -103 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $118,072▲ | $104,839 | +$13,233 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $90,552 | $163,423▲ | -$72,871 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $109,099▲ | $87,862 | +$21,237 |
| Total Employment | 3,000 | 6,000 | -3,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $97,000 more (median: $98,000 vs $195,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 186), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($118,072 vs $104,839 equivalent). Memphis, TN 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.