Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Nashville, TN vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Nashville, TN 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
✓ Nashville, TN
$190,909 vs $139,785
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Nashville, TN
$176,400 vs $117,149
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | 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 | 110 | 186 | -76 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $190,909▲ | $139,785 | +$51,124 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $194,040 | $217,898▲ | -$23,858 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $176,400▲ | $117,149 | +$59,251 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 8,000 | — |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN 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 110 vs 186), Nashville, TN provides better purchasing power ($190,909 vs $139,785 equivalent). Nashville, 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.