Project Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Project Manager Salary: Raleigh, NC vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Project 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
$90,000 vs $126,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$87,379 vs $67,742
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$77,105 vs $56,773
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $90,000 | $126,000▲ | -$36,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $69,300 | $97,020▲ | -$27,720 |
| 75th Percentile | $115,200 | $161,280▲ | -$46,080 |
| 90th Percentile | $144,000 | $201,600▲ | -$57,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 186 | -83 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 9.3% | -4.800000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $87,379▲ | $67,742 | +$19,637 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $79,418 | $105,597▲ | -$26,179 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $77,105▲ | $56,773 | +$20,332 |
| Total Employment | 17,600 | 41,600 | -24,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $36,000 more (median: $90,000 vs $126,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 186), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($87,379 vs $67,742 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.