Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: San Diego, CA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in San Diego, CA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$245,000 vs $260,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Diego, CA
$161,184 vs $139,785
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Diego, CA
$135,084 vs $117,149
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $245,000 | $260,000▲ | -$15,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $184,000 | $195,000▲ | -$11,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $320,000 | $340,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $398,000 | $420,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 186 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3%▲ | 9.3% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $161,184▲ | $139,785 | +$21,399 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $205,327 | $217,898▲ | -$12,571 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $135,084▲ | $117,149 | +$17,935 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 8,000 | — |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $15,000 more (median: $245,000 vs $260,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 186), San Diego, CA provides better purchasing power ($161,184 vs $139,785 equivalent). San Francisco, CA has the lower state tax rate (9.3% 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.