Salary Comparison

Security Engineer Salary:
London vs Austin, TX

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

London
$160,327
/ year
-7%
difference
Austin, TX
$172,030
/ year
Bottom line: Austin wins on all three metrics โ€” higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
London
Austin
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$160,327
$172,030โœ“ higher
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$103,683
$111,251โœ“ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$247,917
$266,014โœ“ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$99,403
$114,802โœ“ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$106,885
$153,598โœ“ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.50ร—
1.12ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$81,910
$111,251โœ“ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$195,854
$266,014โœ“ higher

What if you move from London to Austin?

Gross salary change
+$11,703
7% increase
Take-home change
+$15,399
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$46,713
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 1.00ร—). Full methodology โ†’

Salary Range Comparison

London$160,327
P10: $81,910Median: $160,327P90: $195,854
Austin, TX$172,030
P10: $111,251Median: $172,030P90: $266,014

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a Security Engineer earn more in London or Austin?

The median Security Engineer salary in London is ยฃ126,658/yr compared to $172,030/yr in Austin, TX. Austin pays 7% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Security Engineer salary worth more in London or Austin after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your London salary has the purchasing power of $106,885/yr in a median-cost city, vs $153,598/yr for Austin. Austin offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a Security Engineer in London vs Austin?

After estimated taxes, a Security Engineer in London takes home approximately $99,403/yr, vs $114,802/yr in Austin, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.