Salary Comparison

Backend Developer Salary:
Austin, TX vs Houston, TX

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

Austin, TX
$153,725
/ year
+14%
difference
Houston, TX
$134,585
/ year
Bottom line: Houston offers better purchasing power despite Austin paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Austin
Houston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$153,725✓ higher
$134,585
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$99,413✓ higher
$87,035
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$237,709✓ higher
$208,112
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$103,493✓ higher
$91,942
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$137,254
$137,332✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.12×
0.98×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$99,413✓ higher
$87,035
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$237,709✓ higher
$208,112

What if you move from Austin to Houston?

Gross salary change
$19,140
14% decrease
Take-home change
$11,551
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$78
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

Austin, TX$153,725
P10: $99,413Median: $153,725P90: $237,709
Houston, TX$134,585
P10: $87,035Median: $134,585P90: $208,112

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Backend Developer earn more in Austin or Houston?

The median Backend Developer salary in Austin, TX is $153,725/yr compared to $134,585/yr in Houston, TX. Austin pays 14% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Backend Developer salary worth more in Austin or Houston after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Austin salary has the purchasing power of $137,254/yr in a median-cost city, vs $137,332/yr for Houston. Houston offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Backend Developer in Austin vs Houston?

After estimated taxes, a Backend Developer in Austin, TX takes home approximately $103,493/yr, vs $91,942/yr in Houston, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.