Network Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Network Engineer Salary: San Francisco, CA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Network Engineers in San Francisco, CA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$119,000 vs $114,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Francisco, CA
$63,978 vs $60,963
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Francisco, CA
$53,618 vs $52,471
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $119,000▲ | $114,000 | +$5,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $91,630▲ | $87,780 | +$3,850 |
| 75th Percentile | $152,320▲ | $145,920 | +$6,400 |
| 90th Percentile | $190,400▲ | $182,400 | +$8,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 187 | -1 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 6.85%▲ | +2.450000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $63,978▲ | $60,963 | +$3,015 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $99,730▲ | $98,120 | +$1,610 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $53,618▲ | $52,471 | +$1,147 |
| Total Employment | 78,000 | 102,000 | -24,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $5,000 more (median: $119,000 vs $114,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 187), San Francisco, CA provides better purchasing power ($63,978 vs $60,963 equivalent). New York, NY has the lower state tax rate (6.85% 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.