Salary Comparison

Software Engineer Salary:
Austin, TX vs Miami, FL

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

Austin, TX
$159,408
/ year
+16%
difference
Miami, FL
$136,839
/ year
Bottom line: Austin wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Austin
Miami
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$159,408✓ higher
$136,839
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$103,088✓ higher
$88,493
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$246,496✓ higher
$211,597
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$106,922✓ higher
$93,302
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$142,329✓ higher
$114,033
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.12×✓ lower
1.20×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$103,088✓ higher
$88,493
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$246,496✓ higher
$211,597

What if you move from Austin to Miami?

Gross salary change
$22,569
16% decrease
Take-home change
$13,620
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$28,296
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
Miami, FL$136,839
P10: $88,493Median: $136,839P90: $211,597

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Software Engineer salary in Austin, TX is $159,408/yr compared to $136,839/yr in Miami, FL. Austin pays 16% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Software Engineer salary worth more in Austin or Miami 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 $114,033/yr for Miami. Austin offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Software Engineer in Austin, TX takes home approximately $106,922/yr, vs $93,302/yr in Miami, FL. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.