Product Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Product Manager Salary: Raleigh, NC vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Product Managers in Raleigh, NC and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$118,000 vs $185,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$114,563 vs $99,462
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$101,093 vs $83,356
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $118,000 | $185,000▲ | -$67,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $89,000 | $140,000▲ | -$51,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $155,000 | $245,000▲ | -$90,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $194,000 | $305,000▲ | -$111,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 186 | -83 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 9.3% | -4.800000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $114,563▲ | $99,462 | +$15,101 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $104,126 | $155,043▲ | -$50,917 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $101,093▲ | $83,356 | +$17,737 |
| Total Employment | 4,000 | 8,000 | -4,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $67,000 more (median: $118,000 vs $185,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 186), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($114,563 vs $99,462 equivalent). Raleigh, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% vs 9.3%).
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.