Project Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Project Manager Salary: Memphis, TN vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Project Managers in Memphis, TN and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$68,000 vs $126,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$81,928 vs $67,742
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$75,701 vs $56,773
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $68,000 | $126,000▲ | -$58,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $52,360 | $97,020▲ | -$44,660 |
| 75th Percentile | $87,040 | $161,280▲ | -$74,240 |
| 90th Percentile | $108,800 | $201,600▲ | -$92,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 186 | -103 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $81,928▲ | $67,742 | +$14,186 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $62,832 | $105,597▲ | -$42,765 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $75,701▲ | $56,773 | +$18,928 |
| Total Employment | 6,400 | 41,600 | -35,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $58,000 more (median: $68,000 vs $126,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 186), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($81,928 vs $67,742 equivalent). Memphis, TN 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.