Salary Comparison

Software 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
$159,408
/ year
-16%
difference
Boston, MA
$189,085
/ 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
$159,408
$189,085✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$103,088
$122,280✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$246,496
$292,387✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$106,922
$126,399✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$142,329✓ higher
$135,061
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.12×✓ lower
1.40×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$103,088
$122,280✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$246,496
$292,387✓ higher

What if you move from Austin to Boston?

Gross salary change
+$29,677
16% increase
Take-home change
+$19,477
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$7,268
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$159,408
P10: $103,088Median: $159,408P90: $246,496
Boston, MA$189,085
P10: $122,280Median: $189,085P90: $292,387

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Software Engineer salary in Austin, TX is $159,408/yr compared to $189,085/yr in Boston, MA. Boston pays 16% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Software 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 $142,329/yr in a median-cost city, vs $135,061/yr for Boston. Austin offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Software Engineer in Austin, TX takes home approximately $106,922/yr, vs $126,399/yr in Boston, MA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.