Paralegal · Salary Comparison · 2026
Paralegal Salary: Raleigh, NC vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Paralegals in Raleigh, NC and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$48,000 vs $67,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$46,602 vs $36,022
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$41,122 vs $30,189
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $48,000 | $67,000▲ | -$19,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,960 | $51,590▲ | -$14,630 |
| 75th Percentile | $61,440 | $85,760▲ | -$24,320 |
| 90th Percentile | $76,800 | $107,200▲ | -$30,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 186 | -83 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 9.3% | -4.800000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $46,602▲ | $36,022 | +$10,580 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $42,356 | $56,151▲ | -$13,795 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $41,122▲ | $30,189 | +$10,933 |
| Total Employment | 55,000 | 130,000 | -75,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $19,000 more (median: $48,000 vs $67,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 186), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($46,602 vs $36,022 equivalent). Raleigh, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% 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.