Data Analyst Pay

San Francisco vs Torrance: Data Analyst Salary (2026)

Compare data analyst salaries between San Francisco, CA and Torrance, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

San Francisco, CA
$113,747
$54.70/hr
Torrance, CA
$74,101
$35.63/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Francisco, CATorrance, CA
Median Salary$113,747$74,101
Hourly Rate$54.70$35.63
Entry Level (P10)$66,312$42,979
25th Percentile$87,215$53,353
75th Percentile$142,407$94,850
Top Earner (P90)$182,166$114,857
Total Employed10,46026
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Francisco ($113,747) and Torrance ($74,101) data analyst salaries.San FranciscoTorranceMedian Salary$113,747$74,101Entry Level (P10)$66,312$42,979Top Earner (P90)$182,166$114,857US Median $80,394

Verdict

San Francisco, CA offers better overall compensation for data analysts, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Torrance.

The salary gap between San Francisco and Torrance is $39,646 (53.50%). San Francisco's median is +41.49% compared to the US national median of $80,394.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in San Francisco spans $115,854,Torrance spans $71,878. San Francisco has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$66,312
P25$87,215
Median$113,747
P75$142,407
P90 (Top)$182,166
Torrance
P10 (Entry)$42,979
P25$53,353
Median$74,101
P75$94,850
P90 (Top)$114,857

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($98,386 effective) pays 50.17% more than Torrance ($65,518 effective).

San Francisco
Nominal: $113,747
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $98,386
Torrance
Nominal: $74,101
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $65,518

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Higher median salary ($113,747/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($182,166)
  • Larger job market (10,460 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $98,386)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Torrance if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, data analyst salaries in San Francisco grew -31.7% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -60.2% growth in Torrance over the same period.

San Francisco, CA

+-31.7%

$159,310 (2021) → $108,870 (2025)

Torrance, CA

+-60.2%

$178,312 (2024) → $70,924 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays data analysts more: San Francisco or Torrance?

San Francisco has a higher median data analyst salary at $113,747/year, compared to Torrance at $74,101/year — a difference of $39,646 (53.50%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Francisco and Torrance?

San Francisco data analysts earn $54.70/hr while Torrance hygienists earn $35.63/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from San Francisco to Torrance as a data analyst?

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Francisco and Torrance. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Francisco = $98,386, Torrance = $65,518), job availability (10,460 vs 26 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level data analysts earn in San Francisco vs Torrance?

Entry-level (10th percentile) data analysts earn $66,312 in San Francisco and $42,979 in Torrance. The San Francisco area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AP

Written by Aisha Patel, MA, Certified Data Analyst

Career Analyst

Aisha has 10 years of experience in data analysis. She specializes in business intelligence and works at a tech consulting firm.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.48% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, MA, Certified Data Analyst, a licensed data analyst with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov