Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: El Paso, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians 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
$188,000 vs $260,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ El Paso, TX
$221,176 vs $139,785
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ El Paso, TX
$204,367 vs $117,149
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $188,000 | $260,000▲ | -$72,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $141,000 | $195,000▲ | -$54,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $246,000 | $340,000▲ | -$94,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $306,000 | $420,000▲ | -$114,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 186 | -101 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $221,176▲ | $139,785 | +$81,391 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $173,712 | $217,898▲ | -$44,186 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $204,367▲ | $117,149 | +$87,218 |
| Total Employment | 3,000 | 8,000 | -5,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $72,000 more (median: $188,000 vs $260,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 186), El Paso, TX provides better purchasing power ($221,176 vs $139,785 equivalent). El Paso, 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.