Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Detroit, MI vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Detroit, MI and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$205,000 vs $260,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Detroit, MI
$230,337 vs $139,785
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Detroit, MI
$203,787 vs $117,149
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Detroit, MI | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $205,000 | $260,000▲ | -$55,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $154,000 | $195,000▲ | -$41,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $268,000 | $340,000▲ | -$72,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $334,000 | $420,000▲ | -$86,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 89 | 186 | -97 |
| State Income Tax | 4.25%▲ | 9.3% | -5.050000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $230,337▲ | $139,785 | +$90,552 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $181,370 | $217,898▲ | -$36,528 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $203,787▲ | $117,149 | +$86,638 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 8,000 | — |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Detroit, MI minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $55,000 more (median: $205,000 vs $260,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 89 vs 186), Detroit, MI provides better purchasing power ($230,337 vs $139,785 equivalent). Detroit, MI has the lower state tax rate (4.25% 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.