Salary Comparison

Frontend Developer 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
$188,889
/ year
+30%
difference
Austin, TX
$145,661
/ year
Bottom line: Austin offers better purchasing power despite San Francisco paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
San Francisco
Austin
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$188,889✓ higher
$145,661
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$122,154✓ higher
$94,198
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$292,083✓ higher
$225,239
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$126,266✓ higher
$98,626
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$112,434
$130,054✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.68×
1.12×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$122,154✓ higher
$94,198
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$292,083✓ higher
$225,239

What if you move from San Francisco to Austin?

Gross salary change
$43,228
30% decrease
Take-home change
$27,640
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$17,620
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$188,889
P10: $122,154Median: $188,889P90: $292,083
Austin, TX$145,661
P10: $94,198Median: $145,661P90: $225,239

More Frontend Developer salary comparisons

San Francisco vs New YorkSan Francisco vs Los AngelesSan Francisco vs ChicagoSan Francisco vs HoustonSan Francisco vs PhoenixSan Francisco vs PhiladelphiaAll Frontend Developer salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Frontend Developer earn more in San Francisco or Austin?

The median Frontend Developer salary in San Francisco, CA is $188,889/yr compared to $145,661/yr in Austin, TX. San Francisco pays 30% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Frontend Developer 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 $112,434/yr in a median-cost city, vs $130,054/yr for Austin. Austin offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Frontend Developer in San Francisco vs Austin?

After estimated taxes, a Frontend Developer in San Francisco, CA takes home approximately $126,266/yr, vs $98,626/yr in Austin, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.