Salary Comparison

Machine Learning Engineer Salary:
Austin, TX vs Los Angeles, CA

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

Austin, TX
$189,852
/ year
+2%
difference
Los Angeles, CA
$186,067
/ 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
Los Angeles
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$189,852✓ higher
$186,067
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$122,776✓ higher
$120,329
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$293,573✓ higher
$287,720
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$126,921✓ higher
$124,347
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$169,511✓ higher
$134,831
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.12×✓ lower
1.38×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$122,776✓ higher
$120,329
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$293,573✓ higher
$287,720

What if you move from Austin to Los Angeles?

Gross salary change
$3,785
2% decrease
Take-home change
$2,574
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$34,680
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$189,852
P10: $122,776Median: $189,852P90: $293,573
Los Angeles, CA$186,067
P10: $120,329Median: $186,067P90: $287,720

More Machine Learning Engineer salary comparisons

Austin vs New YorkAustin vs ChicagoAustin vs HoustonAustin vs PhoenixAustin vs PhiladelphiaAustin vs San AntonioAll Machine Learning Engineer salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Machine Learning Engineer earn more in Austin or Los Angeles?

The median Machine Learning Engineer salary in Austin, TX is $189,852/yr compared to $186,067/yr in Los Angeles, CA. Austin pays 2% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Machine Learning Engineer salary worth more in Austin or Los Angeles after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Austin salary has the purchasing power of $169,511/yr in a median-cost city, vs $134,831/yr for Los Angeles. Austin offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Machine Learning Engineer in Austin vs Los Angeles?

After estimated taxes, a Machine Learning Engineer in Austin, TX takes home approximately $126,921/yr, vs $124,347/yr in Los Angeles, CA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.