Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Indianapolis, IN vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Indianapolis, IN and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$210,000 vs $260,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$233,333 vs $139,785
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$208,809 vs $117,149
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $210,000 | $260,000▲ | -$50,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $158,000 | $195,000▲ | -$37,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $275,000 | $340,000▲ | -$65,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $342,000 | $420,000▲ | -$78,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 186 | -96 |
| State Income Tax | 3.15%▲ | 9.3% | -6.15% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $233,333▲ | $139,785 | +$93,548 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $187,928 | $217,898▲ | -$29,970 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $208,809▲ | $117,149 | +$91,660 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 8,000 | — |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Indianapolis, IN minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $50,000 more (median: $210,000 vs $260,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 186), Indianapolis, IN provides better purchasing power ($233,333 vs $139,785 equivalent). Indianapolis, IN has the lower state tax rate (3.15% 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.