Salary Comparison

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

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

San Francisco, CA
$240,759
/ year
+71%
difference
Houston, TX
$140,646
/ year
Bottom line: Houston offers better purchasing power despite San Francisco paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
San Francisco
Houston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$240,759✓ higher
$140,646
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$155,698✓ higher
$90,955
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$372,291✓ higher
$217,484
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$161,252✓ higher
$95,599
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$143,309
$143,516✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.68×
0.98×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$155,698✓ higher
$90,955
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$372,291✓ higher
$217,484

What if you move from San Francisco to Houston?

Gross salary change
$100,113
71% decrease
Take-home change
$65,653
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$207
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
Houston, TX$140,646
P10: $90,955Median: $140,646P90: $217,484

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Software Engineer salary in San Francisco, CA is $240,759/yr compared to $140,646/yr in Houston, TX. San Francisco pays 71% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Software Engineer salary worth more in San Francisco or Houston 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 $143,516/yr for Houston. Houston offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Software Engineer in San Francisco, CA takes home approximately $161,252/yr, vs $95,599/yr in Houston, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.