Salary Comparison

Software Engineer Salary:
Austin, TX vs Philadelphia, PA

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

Austin, TX
$159,836
/ year
+2%
difference
Philadelphia, PA
$156,912
/ year
Bottom line: Philadelphia offers better purchasing power despite Austin paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Austin
Philadelphia
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$159,836✓ higher
$156,912
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$103,365✓ higher
$101,474
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$247,158✓ higher
$242,637
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$107,181✓ higher
$105,416
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$142,711
$145,289✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.12×
1.08×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$103,365✓ higher
$101,474
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$247,158✓ higher
$242,637

What if you move from Austin to Philadelphia?

Gross salary change
$2,924
2% decrease
Take-home change
$1,765
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$2,578
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$159,836
P10: $103,365Median: $159,836P90: $247,158
Philadelphia, PA$156,912
P10: $101,474Median: $156,912P90: $242,637

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Software Engineer salary in Austin, TX is $159,836/yr compared to $156,912/yr in Philadelphia, PA. Austin pays 2% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Software Engineer salary worth more in Austin or Philadelphia after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Austin salary has the purchasing power of $142,711/yr in a median-cost city, vs $145,289/yr for Philadelphia. Philadelphia offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Software Engineer in Austin, TX takes home approximately $107,181/yr, vs $105,416/yr in Philadelphia, PA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.