Salary Comparison

Data Engineer Salary:
New York, NY vs San Diego, CA

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

New York, NY
$198,846
/ year
+12%
difference
San Diego, CA
$177,027
/ year
Bottom line: San Diego offers better purchasing power despite New York paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
New York
San Diego
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$198,846✓ higher
$177,027
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$128,593✓ higher
$114,483
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$307,480✓ higher
$273,741
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$133,037✓ higher
$118,200
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$137,135
$138,302✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.45×
1.28×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$128,593✓ higher
$114,483
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$307,480✓ higher
$273,741

What if you move from New York to San Diego?

Gross salary change
$21,819
12% decrease
Take-home change
$14,837
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$1,167
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

New York, NY$198,846
P10: $128,593Median: $198,846P90: $307,480
San Diego, CA$177,027
P10: $114,483Median: $177,027P90: $273,741

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Data Engineer earn more in New York or San Diego?

The median Data Engineer salary in New York, NY is $198,846/yr compared to $177,027/yr in San Diego, CA. New York pays 12% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Data Engineer salary worth more in New York or San Diego after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your New York salary has the purchasing power of $137,135/yr in a median-cost city, vs $138,302/yr for San Diego. San Diego offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Data Engineer in New York vs San Diego?

After estimated taxes, a Data Engineer in New York, NY takes home approximately $133,037/yr, vs $118,200/yr in San Diego, CA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.