Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in San Francisco, CA and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$260,000 vs $228,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$139,785 vs $178,125
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$117,149 vs $157,345
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $260,000▲ | $228,000 | +$32,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $195,000▲ | $172,000 | +$23,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $340,000▲ | $298,000 | +$42,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $420,000▲ | $372,000 | +$48,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 128 | +58 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 4.4%▲ | +4.9% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $139,785 | $178,125▲ | -$38,340 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $217,898▲ | $201,402 | +$16,496 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $117,149 | $157,345▲ | -$40,196 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 6,000 | +2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $32,000 more (median: $260,000 vs $228,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($139,785 vs $178,125 equivalent). Denver, CO has the lower state tax rate (4.4% 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.