Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: Memphis, TN vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers 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
$92,000 vs $170,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$110,843 vs $91,398
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$102,419 vs $76,598
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $92,000 | $170,000▲ | -$78,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $70,840 | $130,900▲ | -$60,060 |
| 75th Percentile | $117,760 | $217,600▲ | -$99,840 |
| 90th Percentile | $147,200 | $272,000▲ | -$124,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 186 | -103 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $110,843▲ | $91,398 | +$19,445 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $85,008 | $142,472▲ | -$57,464 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $102,419▲ | $76,598 | +$25,821 |
| Total Employment | 6,400 | 41,600 | -35,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $78,000 more (median: $92,000 vs $170,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 186), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($110,843 vs $91,398 equivalent). Memphis, TN has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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.