Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Houston, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Houston, TX and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$220,000 vs $260,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$205,607 vs $139,785
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$189,981 vs $117,149
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $220,000 | $260,000▲ | -$40,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $165,000 | $195,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $288,000 | $340,000▲ | -$52,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $358,000 | $420,000▲ | -$62,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 186 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $205,607▲ | $139,785 | +$65,822 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $203,280 | $217,898▲ | -$14,618 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $189,981▲ | $117,149 | +$72,832 |
| Total Employment | 14,000 | 8,000 | +6,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $40,000 more (median: $220,000 vs $260,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 186), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($205,607 vs $139,785 equivalent). Houston, 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.