Project Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Project Manager Salary: El Paso, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Project Managers in El Paso, TX and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$63,000 vs $126,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ El Paso, TX
$74,118 vs $67,742
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ El Paso, TX
$68,485 vs $56,773
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $63,000 | $126,000▲ | -$63,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,510 | $97,020▲ | -$48,510 |
| 75th Percentile | $80,640 | $161,280▲ | -$80,640 |
| 90th Percentile | $100,800 | $201,600▲ | -$100,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 186 | -101 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $74,118▲ | $67,742 | +$6,376 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $58,212 | $105,597▲ | -$47,385 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $68,485▲ | $56,773 | +$11,712 |
| Total Employment | 4,800 | 41,600 | -36,800 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $63,000 more (median: $63,000 vs $126,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 186), El Paso, TX provides better purchasing power ($74,118 vs $67,742 equivalent). El Paso, 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.