Project Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Project Manager Salary: Dallas, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Project Managers in Dallas, TX and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$95,000 vs $126,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Dallas, TX
$84,821 vs $67,742
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Dallas, TX
$78,375 vs $56,773
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Dallas, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $95,000 | $126,000▲ | -$31,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,150 | $97,020▲ | -$23,870 |
| 75th Percentile | $121,600 | $161,280▲ | -$39,680 |
| 90th Percentile | $152,000 | $201,600▲ | -$49,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 186 | -74 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $84,821▲ | $67,742 | +$17,079 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $87,780 | $105,597▲ | -$17,817 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $78,375▲ | $56,773 | +$21,602 |
| Total Employment | 28,000 | 41,600 | -13,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Dallas, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $31,000 more (median: $95,000 vs $126,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 186), Dallas, TX provides better purchasing power ($84,821 vs $67,742 equivalent). Dallas, 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.