Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: San Diego, CA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in San Diego, CA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Diego, CA
$245,000 vs $225,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$161,184 vs $181,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$135,084 vs $167,661
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $245,000▲ | $225,000 | +$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $184,000▲ | $168,000 | +$16,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $320,000▲ | $295,000 | +$25,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $398,000▲ | $368,000 | +$30,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 124 | +28 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $161,184 | $181,452▲ | -$20,268 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $205,327 | $207,900▲ | -$2,573 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $135,084 | $167,661▲ | -$32,577 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 6,000 | +2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Diego, CA pays $20,000 more (median: $245,000 vs $225,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($161,184 vs $181,452 equivalent). Austin, 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.