Salary Comparison

Network 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
$176,988
/ year
+68%
difference
Houston, TX
$105,114
/ year
Bottom line: Houston offers better purchasing power despite San Francisco paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
San Francisco
Houston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$176,988✓ higher
$105,114
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$114,457✓ higher
$67,977
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$273,681✓ higher
$162,540
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$118,173✓ higher
$74,156
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$105,350
$107,259✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.68×
0.98×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$114,457✓ higher
$67,977
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$273,681✓ higher
$162,540

What if you move from San Francisco to Houston?

Gross salary change
$71,874
68% decrease
Take-home change
$44,017
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$1,909
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$176,988
P10: $114,457Median: $176,988P90: $273,681
Houston, TX$105,114
P10: $67,977Median: $105,114P90: $162,540

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Network Engineer salary in San Francisco, CA is $176,988/yr compared to $105,114/yr in Houston, TX. San Francisco pays 68% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Network 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 $105,350/yr in a median-cost city, vs $107,259/yr for Houston. Houston offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Network Engineer in San Francisco, CA takes home approximately $118,173/yr, vs $74,156/yr in Houston, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.