Salary Comparison

Computer Vision Engineer Salary:
San Francisco, CA vs Los Angeles, CA

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

San Francisco, CA
$279,465
/ year
+21%
difference
Los Angeles, CA
$231,112
/ year
Bottom line: Los Angeles offers better purchasing power despite San Francisco paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
San Francisco
Los Angeles
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$279,465✓ higher
$231,112
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$180,729✓ higher
$149,459
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$432,143✓ higher
$357,374
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$186,411✓ higher
$154,978
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$166,348
$167,472✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.68×
1.38×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$180,729✓ higher
$149,459
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$432,143✓ higher
$357,374

What if you move from San Francisco to Los Angeles?

Gross salary change
$48,353
21% decrease
Take-home change
$31,433
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$1,124
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 1.00×). Full methodology →

Salary Range Comparison

San Francisco, CA$279,465
P10: $180,729Median: $279,465P90: $432,143
Los Angeles, CA$231,112
P10: $149,459Median: $231,112P90: $357,374

More Computer Vision Engineer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Computer Vision Engineer earn more in San Francisco or Los Angeles?

The median Computer Vision Engineer salary in San Francisco, CA is $279,465/yr compared to $231,112/yr in Los Angeles, CA. San Francisco pays 21% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Computer Vision Engineer salary worth more in San Francisco or Los Angeles after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your San Francisco salary has the purchasing power of $166,348/yr in a median-cost city, vs $167,472/yr for Los Angeles. Los Angeles offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Computer Vision Engineer in San Francisco vs Los Angeles?

After estimated taxes, a Computer Vision Engineer in San Francisco, CA takes home approximately $186,411/yr, vs $154,978/yr in Los Angeles, CA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.