Salary Comparison

Software Engineer Salary:
Sydney vs Austin, TX

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

Sydney
$99,431
/ year
-38%
difference
Austin, TX
$159,836
/ year
Bottom line: Austin wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Sydney
Austin
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$99,431
$159,836✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$65,972
$103,365✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$149,860
$247,158✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$67,613
$107,181✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$73,653
$142,711✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.35×
1.12×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$100,277
$103,365✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$227,787
$247,158✓ higher

What if you move from Sydney to Austin?

Gross salary change
+$60,405
38% increase
Take-home change
+$39,568
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$69,058
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

Sydney$99,431
P10: $100,277Median: $99,431P90: $227,787
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 Sydney or Austin?

The median Software Engineer salary in Sydney is A$151,135/yr compared to $159,836/yr in Austin, TX. Austin pays 38% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Sydney salary has the purchasing power of $73,653/yr in a median-cost city, vs $142,711/yr for Austin. Austin offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Software Engineer in Sydney takes home approximately $67,613/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.