Salary Comparison

Security Engineer Salary:
Austin, TX vs Houston, TX

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

Austin, TX
$172,492
/ year
+9%
difference
Houston, TX
$157,797
/ year
Bottom line: Houston offers better purchasing power despite Austin paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Austin
Houston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$172,492✓ higher
$157,797
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$111,550✓ higher
$102,047
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$266,728✓ higher
$244,005
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$115,116✓ higher
$105,950
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$154,011
$161,017✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.12×
0.98×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$111,550✓ higher
$102,047
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$266,728✓ higher
$244,005

What if you move from Austin to Houston?

Gross salary change
$14,695
9% decrease
Take-home change
$9,166
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$7,006
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$172,492
P10: $111,550Median: $172,492P90: $266,728
Houston, TX$157,797
P10: $102,047Median: $157,797P90: $244,005

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Security Engineer salary in Austin, TX is $172,492/yr compared to $157,797/yr in Houston, TX. Austin pays 9% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Austin salary has the purchasing power of $154,011/yr in a median-cost city, vs $161,017/yr for Houston. Houston offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Security Engineer in Austin, TX takes home approximately $115,116/yr, vs $105,950/yr in Houston, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.