Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Houston, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in San Francisco, CA and Houston, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$260,000 vs $220,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$139,785 vs $205,607
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$117,149 vs $189,981
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Houston, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $260,000▲ | $220,000 | +$40,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $195,000▲ | $165,000 | +$30,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $340,000▲ | $288,000 | +$52,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $420,000▲ | $358,000 | +$62,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 107 | +79 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $139,785 | $205,607▲ | -$65,822 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $217,898▲ | $203,280 | +$14,618 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $117,149 | $189,981▲ | -$72,832 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 14,000 | -6,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Houston, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $40,000 more (median: $260,000 vs $220,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 107), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($139,785 vs $205,607 equivalent). Houston, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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.