Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Dallas, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Dallas, TX and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$222,000 vs $260,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Dallas, TX
$198,214 vs $139,785
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Dallas, TX
$183,150 vs $117,149
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Dallas, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $222,000 | $260,000▲ | -$38,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $167,000 | $195,000▲ | -$28,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $290,000 | $340,000▲ | -$50,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $362,000 | $420,000▲ | -$58,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 186 | -74 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $198,214▲ | $139,785 | +$58,429 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $205,128 | $217,898▲ | -$12,770 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $183,150▲ | $117,149 | +$66,001 |
| Total Employment | 12,000 | 8,000 | +4,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Dallas, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $38,000 more (median: $222,000 vs $260,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 186), Dallas, TX provides better purchasing power ($198,214 vs $139,785 equivalent). Dallas, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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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.