Salary Comparison

Software Engineer Salary:
San Francisco, CA vs Sydney

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

San Francisco, CA
$240,759
/ year
+142%
difference
Sydney
$99,431
/ 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
Sydney
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$240,759✓ higher
$99,431
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$155,698✓ higher
$65,972
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$372,291✓ higher
$149,860
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$161,252✓ higher
$67,613
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$143,309✓ higher
$73,653
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.68×
1.35×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$155,698✓ higher
$100,277
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$372,291✓ higher
$227,787

What if you move from San Francisco to Sydney?

Gross salary change
$141,328
142% decrease
Take-home change
$93,639
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$69,656
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
Sydney$99,431
P10: $100,277Median: $99,431P90: $227,787

More Software Engineer salary comparisons

San Francisco vs New YorkSan Francisco vs Los AngelesSan Francisco vs ChicagoSan Francisco vs HoustonSan Francisco vs PhoenixSan Francisco vs PhiladelphiaSydney vs MelbourneSydney vs BrisbaneSydney vs PerthSydney vs AdelaideAll Software Engineer salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Software Engineer salary in San Francisco, CA is $240,759/yr compared to A$151,135/yr in Sydney. San Francisco pays 142% more in gross terms.

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

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

After estimated taxes, a Software Engineer in San Francisco, CA takes home approximately $161,252/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.