Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Atlanta, GA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Atlanta, GA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$215,000 vs $260,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Atlanta, GA
$199,074 vs $139,785
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Atlanta, GA
$173,846 vs $117,149
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $215,000 | $260,000▲ | -$45,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $161,000 | $195,000▲ | -$34,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $282,000 | $340,000▲ | -$58,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $350,000 | $420,000▲ | -$70,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 186 | -78 |
| State Income Tax | 5.49%▲ | 9.3% | -3.8100000000000005% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $199,074▲ | $139,785 | +$59,289 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $187,754 | $217,898▲ | -$30,144 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $173,846▲ | $117,149 | +$56,697 |
| Total Employment | 10,000 | 8,000 | +2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Atlanta, GA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $45,000 more (median: $215,000 vs $260,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 108 vs 186), Atlanta, GA provides better purchasing power ($199,074 vs $139,785 equivalent). Atlanta, GA has the lower state tax rate (5.49% vs 9.3%).
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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.