Lawyer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Lawyer Salary: Minneapolis, MN vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Lawyers in Minneapolis, MN and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$135,000 vs $195,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Minneapolis, MN
$121,622 vs $104,839
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Minneapolis, MN
$104,737 vs $87,862
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $135,000 | $195,000▲ | -$60,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $95,000 | $138,000▲ | -$43,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $184,000 | $265,000▲ | -$81,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $243,000 | $350,000▲ | -$107,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 111 | 186 | -75 |
| State Income Tax | 6.8%▲ | 9.3% | -2.500000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $121,622▲ | $104,839 | +$16,783 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $116,258 | $163,423▲ | -$47,165 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $104,737▲ | $87,862 | +$16,875 |
| Total Employment | 6,000 | 6,000 | — |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Minneapolis, MN minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $60,000 more (median: $135,000 vs $195,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 111 vs 186), Minneapolis, MN provides better purchasing power ($121,622 vs $104,839 equivalent). Minneapolis, MN has the lower state tax rate (6.8% 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.