Network Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Network Engineer Salary: Detroit, MI vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Network Engineers in Detroit, MI and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$73,000 vs $119,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Detroit, MI
$82,022 vs $63,978
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Detroit, MI
$72,567 vs $53,618
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Detroit, MI | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $73,000 | $119,000▲ | -$46,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $56,210 | $91,630▲ | -$35,420 |
| 75th Percentile | $93,440 | $152,320▲ | -$58,880 |
| 90th Percentile | $116,800 | $190,400▲ | -$73,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 89 | 186 | -97 |
| State Income Tax | 4.25%▲ | 9.3% | -5.050000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $82,022▲ | $63,978 | +$18,044 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $64,585 | $99,730▲ | -$35,145 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $72,567▲ | $53,618 | +$18,949 |
| Total Employment | 22,500 | 78,000 | -55,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Detroit, MI minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $46,000 more (median: $73,000 vs $119,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 89 vs 186), Detroit, MI provides better purchasing power ($82,022 vs $63,978 equivalent). Detroit, MI has the lower state tax rate (4.25% 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.