Salary Comparison

Frontend Developer Salary:
Seattle, WA vs Houston, TX

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

Seattle, WA
$192,128
/ year
+42%
difference
Houston, TX
$134,862
/ year
Bottom line: Houston offers better purchasing power despite Seattle paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Seattle
Houston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$192,128✓ higher
$134,862
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$124,248✓ higher
$87,215
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$297,092✓ higher
$208,540
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$128,469✓ higher
$92,109
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$135,301
$137,614✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.42×
0.98×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$124,248✓ higher
$87,215
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$297,092✓ higher
$208,540

What if you move from Seattle to Houston?

Gross salary change
$57,266
42% decrease
Take-home change
$36,360
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$2,313
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

Seattle, WA$192,128
P10: $124,248Median: $192,128P90: $297,092
Houston, TX$134,862
P10: $87,215Median: $134,862P90: $208,540

More Frontend Developer salary comparisons

Seattle vs New YorkSeattle vs Los AngelesSeattle vs ChicagoSeattle vs PhoenixSeattle vs PhiladelphiaSeattle vs San AntonioAll Frontend Developer salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Frontend Developer earn more in Seattle or Houston?

The median Frontend Developer salary in Seattle, WA is $192,128/yr compared to $134,862/yr in Houston, TX. Seattle pays 42% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Frontend Developer salary worth more in Seattle or Houston after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Seattle salary has the purchasing power of $135,301/yr in a median-cost city, vs $137,614/yr for Houston. Houston offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Frontend Developer in Seattle vs Houston?

After estimated taxes, a Frontend Developer in Seattle, WA takes home approximately $128,469/yr, vs $92,109/yr in Houston, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.