Project Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Project Manager Salary: San Francisco, CA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Project Managers in San Francisco, CA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$126,000 vs $121,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Francisco, CA
$67,742 vs $64,706
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Francisco, CA
$56,773 vs $55,693
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $126,000▲ | $121,000 | +$5,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $97,020▲ | $93,170 | +$3,850 |
| 75th Percentile | $161,280▲ | $154,880 | +$6,400 |
| 90th Percentile | $201,600▲ | $193,600 | +$8,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 187 | -1 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 6.85%▲ | +2.450000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $67,742▲ | $64,706 | +$3,036 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $105,597▲ | $104,145 | +$1,452 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $56,773▲ | $55,693 | +$1,080 |
| Total Employment | 41,600 | 54,400 | -12,800 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $5,000 more (median: $126,000 vs $121,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 187), San Francisco, CA provides better purchasing power ($67,742 vs $64,706 equivalent). New York, NY has the lower state tax rate (6.85% 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.