Salary Comparison

Computer Vision Engineer Salary:
San Francisco, CA vs Austin, TX

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

San Francisco, CA
$242,369
/ year
+28%
difference
Austin, TX
$189,824
/ year
Bottom line: Austin offers better purchasing power despite San Francisco paying more gross. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
San Francisco
Austin
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$242,369โœ“ higher
$189,824
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$156,739โœ“ higher
$122,758
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$374,781โœ“ higher
$293,529
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$162,299โœ“ higher
$126,902
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$144,267
$169,486โœ“ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.68ร—
1.12ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$156,739โœ“ higher
$122,758
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$374,781โœ“ higher
$293,529

What if you move from San Francisco to Austin?

Gross salary change
$52,545
28% decrease
Take-home change
$35,397
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$25,219
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$242,369
P10: $156,739Median: $242,369P90: $374,781
Austin, TX$189,824
P10: $122,758Median: $189,824P90: $293,529

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a Computer Vision Engineer earn more in San Francisco or Austin?

The median Computer Vision Engineer salary in San Francisco, CA is $242,369/yr compared to $189,824/yr in Austin, TX. San Francisco pays 28% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Computer Vision Engineer salary worth more in San Francisco or Austin after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your San Francisco salary has the purchasing power of $144,267/yr in a median-cost city, vs $169,486/yr for Austin. Austin offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a Computer Vision Engineer in San Francisco vs Austin?

After estimated taxes, a Computer Vision Engineer in San Francisco, CA takes home approximately $162,299/yr, vs $126,902/yr in Austin, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.