Salary Comparison

Security Engineer Salary:
New York, NY vs San Diego, CA

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

New York, NY
$224,905
/ year
+13%
difference
San Diego, CA
$199,625
/ year
Bottom line: San Diego offers better purchasing power despite New York paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
New York
San Diego
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$224,905✓ higher
$199,625
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$145,445✓ higher
$129,097
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$347,776✓ higher
$308,685
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$150,757✓ higher
$133,567
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$155,107
$155,957✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.45×
1.28×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$145,445✓ higher
$129,097
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$347,776✓ higher
$308,685

What if you move from New York to San Diego?

Gross salary change
$25,280
13% decrease
Take-home change
$17,190
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$850
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

New York, NY$224,905
P10: $145,445Median: $224,905P90: $347,776
San Diego, CA$199,625
P10: $129,097Median: $199,625P90: $308,685

More Security Engineer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Security Engineer earn more in New York or San Diego?

The median Security Engineer salary in New York, NY is $224,905/yr compared to $199,625/yr in San Diego, CA. New York pays 13% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Security Engineer salary worth more in New York or San Diego after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your New York salary has the purchasing power of $155,107/yr in a median-cost city, vs $155,957/yr for San Diego. San Diego offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Security Engineer in New York vs San Diego?

After estimated taxes, a Security Engineer in New York, NY takes home approximately $150,757/yr, vs $133,567/yr in San Diego, CA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.