Salary Comparison

Software Engineer Salary:
San Francisco, CA vs Austin, TX

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

San Francisco, CA
$240,759
/ year
+51%
difference
Austin, TX
$159,836
/ year
Bottom line: San Francisco wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
San Francisco
Austin
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$240,759✓ higher
$159,836
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$155,698✓ higher
$103,365
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$372,291✓ higher
$247,158
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$161,252✓ higher
$107,181
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$143,309✓ higher
$142,711
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.68×
1.12×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$155,698✓ higher
$103,365
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$372,291✓ higher
$247,158

What if you move from San Francisco to Austin?

Gross salary change
$80,923
51% decrease
Take-home change
$54,071
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$598
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

San Francisco, CA$240,759
P10: $155,698Median: $240,759P90: $372,291
Austin, TX$159,836
P10: $103,365Median: $159,836P90: $247,158

More Software Engineer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Software Engineer earn more in San Francisco or Austin?

The median Software Engineer salary in San Francisco, CA is $240,759/yr compared to $159,836/yr in Austin, TX. San Francisco pays 51% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Software Engineer salary worth more in San Francisco or Austin after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your San Francisco salary has the purchasing power of $143,309/yr in a median-cost city, vs $142,711/yr for Austin. San Francisco offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Software Engineer in San Francisco vs Austin?

After estimated taxes, a Software Engineer in San Francisco, CA takes home approximately $161,252/yr, vs $107,181/yr in Austin, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.