Salary Comparison

Machine Learning Engineer Salary:
San Francisco, CA vs Austin, TX

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

San Francisco, CA
$244,299
/ year
+29%
difference
Austin, TX
$189,852
/ year
Bottom line: Austin offers better purchasing power despite San Francisco paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
San Francisco
Austin
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$244,299✓ higher
$189,852
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$157,987✓ higher
$122,776
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$377,765✓ higher
$293,573
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$163,553✓ higher
$126,921
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$145,416
$169,511✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.68×
1.12×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$157,987✓ higher
$122,776
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$377,765✓ higher
$293,573

What if you move from San Francisco to Austin?

Gross salary change
$54,447
29% decrease
Take-home change
$36,632
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$24,095
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$244,299
P10: $157,987Median: $244,299P90: $377,765
Austin, TX$189,852
P10: $122,776Median: $189,852P90: $293,573

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Machine Learning Engineer earn more in San Francisco or Austin?

The median Machine Learning Engineer salary in San Francisco, CA is $244,299/yr compared to $189,852/yr in Austin, TX. San Francisco pays 29% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your San Francisco salary has the purchasing power of $145,416/yr in a median-cost city, vs $169,511/yr for Austin. Austin offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Machine Learning Engineer in San Francisco, CA takes home approximately $163,553/yr, vs $126,921/yr in Austin, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.