Salary Comparison

Business Intelligence Analyst Salary:
San Francisco, CA vs Houston, TX

Side-by-side gross salary, after-tax take-home pay, and purchasing power comparison. Updated June 2026.

San Francisco, CA
$175,494
/ year
+80%
difference
Houston, TX
$97,417
/ year
Bottom line: San Francisco wins on all three metrics โ€” higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
San Francisco
Houston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$175,494โœ“ higher
$97,417
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$113,491โœ“ higher
$62,999
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$271,370โœ“ higher
$150,638
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$117,158โœ“ higher
$69,511
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$104,461โœ“ higher
$99,405
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.68ร—
0.98ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$113,491โœ“ higher
$62,999
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$271,370โœ“ higher
$150,638

What if you move from San Francisco to Houston?

Gross salary change
$78,077
80% decrease
Take-home change
$47,647
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$5,056
equivalent real income

Take-home pay is estimated using 2024 US federal tax brackets (single filer) + 7.65% FICA, or a blended international effective rate. Purchasing power converts gross salary to an equivalent in a US median cost-of-living city (index 1.00ร—). Full methodology โ†’

Salary Range Comparison

San Francisco, CA$175,494
P10: $113,491Median: $175,494P90: $271,370
Houston, TX$97,417
P10: $62,999Median: $97,417P90: $150,638

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a Business Intelligence Analyst earn more in San Francisco or Houston?

The median Business Intelligence Analyst salary in San Francisco, CA is $175,494/yr compared to $97,417/yr in Houston, TX. San Francisco pays 80% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Business Intelligence Analyst salary worth more in San Francisco or Houston after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your San Francisco salary has the purchasing power of $104,461/yr in a median-cost city, vs $99,405/yr for Houston. San Francisco offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a Business Intelligence Analyst in San Francisco vs Houston?

After estimated taxes, a Business Intelligence Analyst in San Francisco, CA takes home approximately $117,158/yr, vs $69,511/yr in Houston, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.