Salary Comparison

Software Engineer Salary:
Los Angeles, CA vs San Diego, CA

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

Los Angeles, CA
$195,742
/ year
+3%
difference
San Diego, CA
$190,772
/ year
Bottom line: San Diego offers better purchasing power despite Los Angeles paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Los Angeles
San Diego
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$195,742✓ higher
$190,772
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$126,585✓ higher
$123,371
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$302,680✓ higher
$294,995
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$130,926✓ higher
$127,547
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$141,842
$149,041✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.38×
1.28×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$126,585✓ higher
$123,371
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$302,680✓ higher
$294,995

What if you move from Los Angeles to San Diego?

Gross salary change
$4,970
3% decrease
Take-home change
$3,379
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$7,199
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

Los Angeles, CA$195,742
P10: $126,585Median: $195,742P90: $302,680
San Diego, CA$190,772
P10: $123,371Median: $190,772P90: $294,995

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Software Engineer earn more in Los Angeles or San Diego?

The median Software Engineer salary in Los Angeles, CA is $195,742/yr compared to $190,772/yr in San Diego, CA. Los Angeles pays 3% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Software Engineer salary worth more in Los Angeles or San Diego after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Los Angeles salary has the purchasing power of $141,842/yr in a median-cost city, vs $149,041/yr for San Diego. San Diego offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Software Engineer in Los Angeles vs San Diego?

After estimated taxes, a Software Engineer in Los Angeles, CA takes home approximately $130,926/yr, vs $127,547/yr in San Diego, CA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.