Project Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Project Manager Salary: Austin, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Project Managers in Austin, TX and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$101,000 vs $126,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$81,452 vs $67,742
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$75,261 vs $56,773
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $101,000 | $126,000▲ | -$25,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $77,770 | $97,020▲ | -$19,250 |
| 75th Percentile | $129,280 | $161,280▲ | -$32,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $161,600 | $201,600▲ | -$40,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 186 | -62 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $81,452▲ | $67,742 | +$13,710 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $93,324 | $105,597▲ | -$12,273 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $75,261▲ | $56,773 | +$18,488 |
| Total Employment | 30,400 | 41,600 | -11,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $25,000 more (median: $101,000 vs $126,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 186), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($81,452 vs $67,742 equivalent). Austin, 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.