Tax Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Tax Manager Salary: Memphis, TN vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Tax 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
$76,000 vs $140,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$91,566 vs $75,269
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$84,607 vs $63,081
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $76,000 | $140,000▲ | -$64,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,520 | $107,800▲ | -$49,280 |
| 75th Percentile | $97,280 | $179,200▲ | -$81,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $121,600 | $224,000▲ | -$102,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 186 | -103 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $91,566▲ | $75,269 | +$16,297 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $70,224 | $117,330▲ | -$47,106 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $84,607▲ | $63,081 | +$21,526 |
| 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 $64,000 more (median: $76,000 vs $140,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 186), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($91,566 vs $75,269 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.