Salary Comparison

Full Stack Developer Salary:
San Francisco, CA vs Houston, TX

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

San Francisco, CA
$223,639
/ year
+76%
difference
Houston, TX
$126,752
/ year
Bottom line: San Francisco wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
San Francisco
Houston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$223,639✓ higher
$126,752
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$144,626✓ higher
$81,970
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$345,818✓ higher
$196,000
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$149,896✓ higher
$87,214
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$133,118✓ higher
$129,339
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.68×
0.98×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$144,626✓ higher
$81,970
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$345,818✓ higher
$196,000

What if you move from San Francisco to Houston?

Gross salary change
$96,887
76% decrease
Take-home change
$62,682
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$3,779
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$223,639
P10: $144,626Median: $223,639P90: $345,818
Houston, TX$126,752
P10: $81,970Median: $126,752P90: $196,000

More Full Stack Developer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Full Stack Developer salary in San Francisco, CA is $223,639/yr compared to $126,752/yr in Houston, TX. San Francisco pays 76% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Full Stack Developer salary worth more in San Francisco or Houston after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your San Francisco salary has the purchasing power of $133,118/yr in a median-cost city, vs $129,339/yr for Houston. San Francisco offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Full Stack Developer in San Francisco, CA takes home approximately $149,896/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.