Salary Comparison

Software Engineer Salary:
Denver, CO vs San Antonio, TX

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

Denver, CO
$166,887
/ year
+28%
difference
San Antonio, TX
$130,432
/ year
Bottom line: San Antonio offers better purchasing power despite Denver paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Denver
San Antonio
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$166,887✓ higher
$130,432
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$107,925✓ higher
$84,350
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$258,061✓ higher
$201,690
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$111,436✓ higher
$89,435
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$146,392
$148,218✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.14×
0.88×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$107,925✓ higher
$84,350
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$258,061✓ higher
$201,690

What if you move from Denver to San Antonio?

Gross salary change
$36,455
28% decrease
Take-home change
$22,001
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$1,826
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

Denver, CO$166,887
P10: $107,925Median: $166,887P90: $258,061
San Antonio, TX$130,432
P10: $84,350Median: $130,432P90: $201,690

More Software Engineer salary comparisons

Denver vs New YorkDenver vs Los AngelesDenver vs ChicagoDenver vs HoustonDenver vs PhoenixDenver vs PhiladelphiaAll Software Engineer salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Software Engineer earn more in Denver or San Antonio?

The median Software Engineer salary in Denver, CO is $166,887/yr compared to $130,432/yr in San Antonio, TX. Denver pays 28% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Software Engineer salary worth more in Denver or San Antonio after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Denver salary has the purchasing power of $146,392/yr in a median-cost city, vs $148,218/yr for San Antonio. San Antonio offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Software Engineer in Denver vs San Antonio?

After estimated taxes, a Software Engineer in Denver, CO takes home approximately $111,436/yr, vs $89,435/yr in San Antonio, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.