Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Memphis, TN vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Memphis, TN and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$195,000 vs $260,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$234,940 vs $139,785
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$217,084 vs $117,149
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $195,000 | $260,000▲ | -$65,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $146,000 | $195,000▲ | -$49,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $256,000 | $340,000▲ | -$84,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $318,000 | $420,000▲ | -$102,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 186 | -103 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $234,940▲ | $139,785 | +$95,155 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $180,180 | $217,898▲ | -$37,718 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $217,084▲ | $117,149 | +$99,935 |
| Total Employment | 5,000 | 8,000 | -3,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $65,000 more (median: $195,000 vs $260,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 186), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($234,940 vs $139,785 equivalent). Memphis, TN 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.