Salary Comparison

Data Engineer 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
$155,473
/ year
+14%
difference
Houston, TX
$136,698
/ 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
$155,473✓ higher
$136,698
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$100,544✓ higher
$88,402
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$240,412✓ higher
$211,379
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$104,547✓ higher
$93,217
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$138,815
$139,488✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.12×
0.98×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$100,544✓ higher
$88,402
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$240,412✓ higher
$211,379

What if you move from Austin to Houston?

Gross salary change
$18,775
14% decrease
Take-home change
$11,330
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$673
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$155,473
P10: $100,544Median: $155,473P90: $240,412
Houston, TX$136,698
P10: $88,402Median: $136,698P90: $211,379

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Data Engineer earn more in Austin or Houston?

The median Data Engineer salary in Austin, TX is $155,473/yr compared to $136,698/yr in Houston, TX. Austin pays 14% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Data Engineer 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 $138,815/yr in a median-cost city, vs $139,488/yr for Houston. Houston offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Data Engineer in Austin vs Houston?

After estimated taxes, a Data Engineer in Austin, TX takes home approximately $104,547/yr, vs $93,217/yr in Houston, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.