Salary Comparison

Frontend Developer Salary:
Los Angeles, CA vs San Antonio, TX

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

Los Angeles, CA
$181,487
/ year
+57%
difference
San Antonio, TX
$115,831
/ year
Bottom line: San Antonio offers better purchasing power despite Los Angeles paying more gross. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Los Angeles
San Antonio
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$181,487โœ“ higher
$115,831
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$117,367โœ“ higher
$74,907
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$280,638โœ“ higher
$179,112
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$121,233โœ“ higher
$80,624
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$131,512
$131,626โœ“ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.38ร—
0.88ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$117,367โœ“ higher
$74,907
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$280,638โœ“ higher
$179,112

What if you move from Los Angeles to San Antonio?

Gross salary change
$65,656
57% decrease
Take-home change
$40,609
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$114
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

Los Angeles, CA$181,487
P10: $117,367Median: $181,487P90: $280,638
San Antonio, TX$115,831
P10: $74,907Median: $115,831P90: $179,112

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a Frontend Developer earn more in Los Angeles or San Antonio?

The median Frontend Developer salary in Los Angeles, CA is $181,487/yr compared to $115,831/yr in San Antonio, TX. Los Angeles pays 57% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Frontend Developer salary worth more in Los Angeles or San Antonio after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Los Angeles salary has the purchasing power of $131,512/yr in a median-cost city, vs $131,626/yr for San Antonio. San Antonio offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a Frontend Developer in Los Angeles vs San Antonio?

After estimated taxes, a Frontend Developer in Los Angeles, CA takes home approximately $121,233/yr, vs $80,624/yr in San Antonio, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.