Salary Comparison

Software Engineer Salary:
San Francisco, CA vs Philadelphia, PA

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

San Francisco, CA
$240,759
/ year
+53%
difference
Philadelphia, PA
$156,912
/ year
Bottom line: Philadelphia offers better purchasing power despite San Francisco paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
San Francisco
Philadelphia
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$240,759✓ higher
$156,912
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$155,698✓ higher
$101,474
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$372,291✓ higher
$242,637
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$161,252✓ higher
$105,416
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$143,309
$145,289✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.68×
1.08×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$155,698✓ higher
$101,474
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$372,291✓ higher
$242,637

What if you move from San Francisco to Philadelphia?

Gross salary change
$83,847
53% decrease
Take-home change
$55,836
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$1,980
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
Philadelphia, PA$156,912
P10: $101,474Median: $156,912P90: $242,637

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Software Engineer salary in San Francisco, CA is $240,759/yr compared to $156,912/yr in Philadelphia, PA. San Francisco pays 53% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Software Engineer salary worth more in San Francisco or Philadelphia 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 $145,289/yr for Philadelphia. Philadelphia offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Software Engineer in San Francisco, CA takes home approximately $161,252/yr, vs $105,416/yr in Philadelphia, PA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.