Network Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Network Engineer Salary: Memphis, TN vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Network 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
$65,000 vs $119,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$78,313 vs $63,978
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$72,361 vs $53,618
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $65,000 | $119,000▲ | -$54,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,050 | $91,630▲ | -$41,580 |
| 75th Percentile | $83,200 | $152,320▲ | -$69,120 |
| 90th Percentile | $104,000 | $190,400▲ | -$86,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 186 | -103 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $78,313▲ | $63,978 | +$14,335 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $60,060 | $99,730▲ | -$39,670 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $72,361▲ | $53,618 | +$18,743 |
| Total Employment | 12,000 | 78,000 | -66,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $54,000 more (median: $65,000 vs $119,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 186), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($78,313 vs $63,978 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.