Salary Comparison

Software Engineer Salary:
Miami, FL vs Philadelphia, PA

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

Miami, FL
$172,124
/ year
+10%
difference
Philadelphia, PA
$156,912
/ year
Bottom line: Philadelphia offers better purchasing power despite Miami paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Miami
Philadelphia
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$172,124✓ higher
$156,912
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$111,312✓ higher
$101,474
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$266,159✓ higher
$242,637
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$114,866✓ higher
$105,416
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$143,437
$145,289✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.20×
1.08×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$111,312✓ higher
$101,474
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$266,159✓ higher
$242,637

What if you move from Miami to Philadelphia?

Gross salary change
$15,212
10% decrease
Take-home change
$9,450
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$1,852
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

Miami, FL$172,124
P10: $111,312Median: $172,124P90: $266,159
Philadelphia, PA$156,912
P10: $101,474Median: $156,912P90: $242,637

More Software Engineer salary comparisons

Miami vs New YorkMiami vs Los AngelesMiami vs ChicagoMiami vs HoustonMiami vs PhoenixMiami vs San AntonioAll Software Engineer salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Software Engineer salary in Miami, FL is $172,124/yr compared to $156,912/yr in Philadelphia, PA. Miami pays 10% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Miami salary has the purchasing power of $143,437/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 Miami vs Philadelphia?

After estimated taxes, a Software Engineer in Miami, FL takes home approximately $114,866/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.