Network Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Network Engineer Salary: Nashville, TN vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Network Engineers in Nashville, TN and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$80,000 vs $119,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Nashville, TN
$72,727 vs $63,978
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Nashville, TN
$67,200 vs $53,618
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $80,000 | $119,000▲ | -$39,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $61,600 | $91,630▲ | -$30,030 |
| 75th Percentile | $102,400 | $152,320▲ | -$49,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,000 | $190,400▲ | -$62,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 186 | -76 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $72,727▲ | $63,978 | +$8,749 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $73,920 | $99,730▲ | -$25,810 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $67,200▲ | $53,618 | +$13,582 |
| Total Employment | 27,000 | 78,000 | -51,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $39,000 more (median: $80,000 vs $119,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 186), Nashville, TN provides better purchasing power ($72,727 vs $63,978 equivalent). Nashville, 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.