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