Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Raleigh, NC vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Raleigh, NC and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$215,000 vs $260,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$208,738 vs $139,785
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$184,194 vs $117,149
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $215,000 | $260,000▲ | -$45,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $161,000 | $195,000▲ | -$34,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $282,000 | $340,000▲ | -$58,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $350,000 | $420,000▲ | -$70,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 186 | -83 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 9.3% | -4.800000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $208,738▲ | $139,785 | +$68,953 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $189,720 | $217,898▲ | -$28,178 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $184,194▲ | $117,149 | +$67,045 |
| Total Employment | 6,000 | 8,000 | -2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $45,000 more (median: $215,000 vs $260,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 186), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($208,738 vs $139,785 equivalent). Raleigh, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% 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.