Salary Comparison

Software Engineer Salary:
New York, NY vs Sydney

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

New York, NY
$173,149
/ year
+74%
difference
Sydney
$99,431
/ year
Bottom line: New York wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
New York
Sydney
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$173,149✓ higher
$99,431
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$111,975✓ higher
$65,972
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$267,744✓ higher
$149,860
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$115,563✓ higher
$67,613
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$119,413✓ higher
$73,653
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.45×
1.35×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$111,975✓ higher
$100,277
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$267,744✓ higher
$227,787

What if you move from New York to Sydney?

Gross salary change
$73,718
74% decrease
Take-home change
$47,950
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$45,760
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
Sydney$99,431
P10: $100,277Median: $99,431P90: $227,787

More Software Engineer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Software Engineer salary in New York, NY is $173,149/yr compared to A$151,135/yr in Sydney. New York pays 74% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Software Engineer salary worth more in New York or Sydney 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 $73,653/yr for Sydney. New York offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Software Engineer in New York, NY takes home approximately $115,563/yr, vs $67,613/yr in Sydney. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.