Salary Comparison

Machine Learning Engineer 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
$281,690
/ year
+75%
difference
Houston, TX
$160,805
/ 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
$281,690✓ higher
$160,805
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$182,168✓ higher
$103,992
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$435,584✓ higher
$248,657
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$187,858✓ higher
$107,765
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$167,673✓ higher
$164,087
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.68×
0.98×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$182,168✓ higher
$103,992
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$435,584✓ higher
$248,657

What if you move from San Francisco to Houston?

Gross salary change
$120,885
75% decrease
Take-home change
$80,093
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$3,586
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$281,690
P10: $182,168Median: $281,690P90: $435,584
Houston, TX$160,805
P10: $103,992Median: $160,805P90: $248,657

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Machine Learning Engineer salary in San Francisco, CA is $281,690/yr compared to $160,805/yr in Houston, TX. San Francisco pays 75% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Machine Learning Engineer 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 $167,673/yr in a median-cost city, vs $164,087/yr for Houston. San Francisco offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Machine Learning Engineer in San Francisco, CA takes home approximately $187,858/yr, vs $107,765/yr in Houston, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.