Salary Comparison

Full Stack Developer 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
$147,804
/ year
+17%
difference
Houston, TX
$126,752
/ year
Bottom line: Austin wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Austin
Houston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$147,804✓ higher
$126,752
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$95,584✓ higher
$81,970
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$228,553✓ higher
$196,000
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$99,919✓ higher
$87,214
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$131,968✓ higher
$129,339
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.12×
0.98×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$95,584✓ higher
$81,970
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$228,553✓ higher
$196,000

What if you move from Austin to Houston?

Gross salary change
$21,052
17% decrease
Take-home change
$12,705
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$2,629
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$147,804
P10: $95,584Median: $147,804P90: $228,553
Houston, TX$126,752
P10: $81,970Median: $126,752P90: $196,000

More Full Stack Developer salary comparisons

Austin vs New YorkAustin vs Los AngelesAustin vs ChicagoAustin vs PhoenixAustin vs PhiladelphiaAustin vs San AntonioAll Full Stack Developer salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Full Stack Developer earn more in Austin or Houston?

The median Full Stack Developer salary in Austin, TX is $147,804/yr compared to $126,752/yr in Houston, TX. Austin pays 17% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Full Stack Developer 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 $131,968/yr in a median-cost city, vs $129,339/yr for Houston. Austin offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Full Stack Developer in Austin vs Houston?

After estimated taxes, a Full Stack Developer in Austin, TX takes home approximately $99,919/yr, vs $87,214/yr in Houston, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.