Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: San Diego, CA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in San Diego, CA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$141,000 vs $170,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Diego, CA
$92,763 vs $91,398
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Diego, CA
$77,742 vs $76,598
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $141,000 | $170,000▲ | -$29,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $108,570 | $130,900▲ | -$22,330 |
| 75th Percentile | $180,480 | $217,600▲ | -$37,120 |
| 90th Percentile | $225,600 | $272,000▲ | -$46,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 186 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3%▲ | 9.3% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $92,763▲ | $91,398 | +$1,365 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $118,168 | $142,472▲ | -$24,304 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $77,742▲ | $76,598 | +$1,144 |
| Total Employment | 19,200 | 41,600 | -22,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $29,000 more (median: $141,000 vs $170,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 186), San Diego, CA provides better purchasing power ($92,763 vs $91,398 equivalent). San Francisco, CA has the lower state tax rate (9.3% vs 9.3%).
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.