Salary Comparison

iOS 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
$154,367
/ year
+13%
difference
Houston, TX
$136,981
/ year
Bottom line: Houston offers better purchasing power despite Austin paying more gross. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Austin
Houston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$154,367โœ“ higher
$136,981
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$99,828โœ“ higher
$88,585
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$238,701โœ“ higher
$211,817
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$103,880โœ“ higher
$93,388
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$137,828
$139,777โœ“ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.12ร—
0.98ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$99,828โœ“ higher
$88,585
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$238,701โœ“ higher
$211,817

What if you move from Austin to Houston?

Gross salary change
$17,386
13% decrease
Take-home change
$10,492
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$1,949
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

Austin, TX$154,367
P10: $99,828Median: $154,367P90: $238,701
Houston, TX$136,981
P10: $88,585Median: $136,981P90: $211,817

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a iOS Developer earn more in Austin or Houston?

The median iOS Developer salary in Austin, TX is $154,367/yr compared to $136,981/yr in Houston, TX. Austin pays 13% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a iOS 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 $137,828/yr in a median-cost city, vs $139,777/yr for Houston. Houston offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a iOS Developer in Austin vs Houston?

After estimated taxes, a iOS Developer in Austin, TX takes home approximately $103,880/yr, vs $93,388/yr in Houston, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.