Nurse Practitioner · Salary Comparison · 2026
Nurse Practitioner Salary: El Paso, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Nurse Practitioners in El Paso, TX and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$85,000 vs $155,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ El Paso, TX
$100,000 vs $83,333
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ El Paso, TX
$92,400 vs $69,839
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $85,000 | $155,000▲ | -$70,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $66,000 | $120,000▲ | -$54,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $109,000 | $198,000▲ | -$89,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $132,000 | $240,000▲ | -$108,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 186 | -101 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $100,000▲ | $83,333 | +$16,667 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $78,540 | $129,901▲ | -$51,361 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $92,400▲ | $69,839 | +$22,561 |
| Total Employment | 2,000 | 5,000 | -3,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $70,000 more (median: $85,000 vs $155,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 186), El Paso, TX provides better purchasing power ($100,000 vs $83,333 equivalent). El Paso, TX 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.