Salary Comparison

Computer Vision Engineer 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
$279,465
/ year
+69%
difference
Houston, TX
$165,059
/ year
Bottom line: Houston offers better purchasing power despite San Francisco paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
San Francisco
Houston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$279,465✓ higher
$165,059
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$180,729✓ higher
$106,743
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$432,143✓ higher
$255,235
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$186,411✓ higher
$110,333
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$166,348
$168,428✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.68×
0.98×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$180,729✓ higher
$106,743
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$432,143✓ higher
$255,235

What if you move from San Francisco to Houston?

Gross salary change
$114,406
69% decrease
Take-home change
$76,078
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$2,080
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
Houston, TX$165,059
P10: $106,743Median: $165,059P90: $255,235

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Computer Vision Engineer salary in San Francisco, CA is $279,465/yr compared to $165,059/yr in Houston, TX. San Francisco pays 69% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Computer Vision Engineer 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 $166,348/yr in a median-cost city, vs $168,428/yr for Houston. Houston offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Computer Vision Engineer in San Francisco, CA takes home approximately $186,411/yr, vs $110,333/yr in Houston, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.