Salary Comparison

Software Engineer Salary:
San Francisco, CA vs London

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

San Francisco, CA
$208,801
/ year
+123%
difference
London
$93,597
/ 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
London
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$208,801✓ higher
$93,597
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$135,031✓ higher
$62,101
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$322,874✓ higher
$141,067
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$139,806✓ higher
$63,646
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$124,286✓ higher
$62,398
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.68×
1.50×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$135,031✓ higher
$49,060
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$322,874✓ higher
$111,443

What if you move from San Francisco to London?

Gross salary change
$115,204
123% decrease
Take-home change
$76,160
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$61,888
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$208,801
P10: $135,031Median: $208,801P90: $322,874
London$93,597
P10: $49,060Median: $93,597P90: $111,443

More Software Engineer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Software Engineer salary in San Francisco, CA is $208,801/yr compared to £73,942/yr in London. San Francisco pays 123% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your San Francisco salary has the purchasing power of $124,286/yr in a median-cost city, vs $62,398/yr for London. San Francisco offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Software Engineer in San Francisco, CA takes home approximately $139,806/yr, vs $63,646/yr in London. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.