Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in San Francisco, CA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$260,000 vs $225,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$139,785 vs $181,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$117,149 vs $167,661
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $260,000▲ | $225,000 | +$35,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $195,000▲ | $168,000 | +$27,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $340,000▲ | $295,000 | +$45,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $420,000▲ | $368,000 | +$52,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 124 | +62 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $139,785 | $181,452▲ | -$41,667 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $217,898▲ | $207,900 | +$9,998 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $117,149 | $167,661▲ | -$50,512 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 6,000 | +2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $35,000 more (median: $260,000 vs $225,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($139,785 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.