Salary Comparison

Security Engineer Salary:
Austin, TX vs Boston, MA

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

Austin, TX
$172,030
/ year
-17%
difference
Boston, MA
$207,034
/ year
Bottom line: Austin offers better purchasing power (your money goes further) even if gross salary differs. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Austin
Boston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$172,030
$207,034✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$111,251
$133,888✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$266,014
$320,141✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$114,802
$138,605✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$153,598✓ higher
$147,881
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.12×✓ lower
1.40×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$111,251
$133,888✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$266,014
$320,141✓ higher

What if you move from Austin to Boston?

Gross salary change
+$35,004
17% increase
Take-home change
+$23,803
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$5,717
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$172,030
P10: $111,251Median: $172,030P90: $266,014
Boston, MA$207,034
P10: $133,888Median: $207,034P90: $320,141

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Security Engineer earn more in Austin or Boston?

The median Security Engineer salary in Austin, TX is $172,030/yr compared to $207,034/yr in Boston, MA. Boston pays 17% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Security Engineer salary worth more in Austin or Boston after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Austin salary has the purchasing power of $153,598/yr in a median-cost city, vs $147,881/yr for Boston. Austin offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Security Engineer in Austin vs Boston?

After estimated taxes, a Security Engineer in Austin, TX takes home approximately $114,802/yr, vs $138,605/yr in Boston, MA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.