Salary Comparison

Software Engineer Salary:
New York, NY vs Seattle, WA

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

New York, NY
$173,149
/ year
-15%
difference
Seattle, WA
$202,929
/ year
Bottom line: Seattle wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
New York
Seattle
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$173,149
$202,929✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$111,975
$131,233✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$267,744
$313,794✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$115,563
$135,813✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$119,413
$142,908✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.45×
1.42×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$111,975
$131,233✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$267,744
$313,794✓ higher

What if you move from New York to Seattle?

Gross salary change
+$29,780
15% increase
Take-home change
+$20,250
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$23,495
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
Seattle, WA$202,929
P10: $131,233Median: $202,929P90: $313,794

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Software Engineer salary in New York, NY is $173,149/yr compared to $202,929/yr in Seattle, WA. Seattle pays 15% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Software Engineer salary worth more in New York or Seattle 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 $142,908/yr for Seattle. Seattle offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Software Engineer in New York, NY takes home approximately $115,563/yr, vs $135,813/yr in Seattle, WA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.