Salary Comparison

Software Engineer Salary:
New York, NY vs Atlanta, GA

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

New York, NY
$173,149
/ year
+21%
difference
Atlanta, GA
$142,705
/ year
Bottom line: Atlanta offers better purchasing power despite New York paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
New York
Atlanta
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$173,149✓ higher
$142,705
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$111,975✓ higher
$92,287
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$267,744✓ higher
$220,668
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$115,563✓ higher
$96,842
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$119,413
$135,910✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.45×
1.05×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$111,975✓ higher
$92,287
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$267,744✓ higher
$220,668

What if you move from New York to Atlanta?

Gross salary change
$30,444
21% decrease
Take-home change
$18,721
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$16,497
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

New York, NY$173,149
P10: $111,975Median: $173,149P90: $267,744
Atlanta, GA$142,705
P10: $92,287Median: $142,705P90: $220,668

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Software Engineer earn more in New York or Atlanta?

The median Software Engineer salary in New York, NY is $173,149/yr compared to $142,705/yr in Atlanta, GA. New York pays 21% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Software Engineer salary worth more in New York or Atlanta after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your New York salary has the purchasing power of $119,413/yr in a median-cost city, vs $135,910/yr for Atlanta. Atlanta offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Software Engineer in New York vs Atlanta?

After estimated taxes, a Software Engineer in New York, NY takes home approximately $115,563/yr, vs $96,842/yr in Atlanta, GA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.