Tax Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Tax Manager Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Tax 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
$140,000 vs $112,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$75,269 vs $90,323
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$63,081 vs $83,458
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $140,000▲ | $112,000 | +$28,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $107,800▲ | $86,240 | +$21,560 |
| 75th Percentile | $179,200▲ | $143,360 | +$35,840 |
| 90th Percentile | $224,000▲ | $179,200 | +$44,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 124 | +62 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $75,269 | $90,323▲ | -$15,054 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $117,330▲ | $103,488 | +$13,842 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $63,081 | $83,458▲ | -$20,377 |
| 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 $28,000 more (median: $140,000 vs $112,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($75,269 vs $90,323 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.