Salary Comparison

Security Engineer Salary:
Austin, TX vs San Antonio, TX

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

Austin, TX
$172,492
/ year
+25%
difference
San Antonio, TX
$137,837
/ year
Bottom line: San Antonio offers better purchasing power despite Austin paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Austin
San Antonio
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$172,492✓ higher
$137,837
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$111,550✓ higher
$89,139
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$266,728✓ higher
$213,141
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$115,116✓ higher
$93,904
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$154,011
$156,633✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.12×
0.88×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$111,550✓ higher
$89,139
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$266,728✓ higher
$213,141

What if you move from Austin to San Antonio?

Gross salary change
$34,655
25% decrease
Take-home change
$21,212
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$2,622
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
San Antonio, TX$137,837
P10: $89,139Median: $137,837P90: $213,141

More Security Engineer salary comparisons

Austin vs New YorkAustin vs Los AngelesAustin vs ChicagoAustin vs HoustonAustin vs PhoenixAustin vs PhiladelphiaAll Security Engineer salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Security Engineer earn more in Austin or San Antonio?

The median Security Engineer salary in Austin, TX is $172,492/yr compared to $137,837/yr in San Antonio, TX. Austin pays 25% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Security Engineer salary worth more in Austin or San Antonio 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 $156,633/yr for San Antonio. San Antonio offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Security Engineer in Austin, TX takes home approximately $115,116/yr, vs $93,904/yr in San Antonio, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.