Salary Comparison

Software Engineer Salary:
Toronto vs Los Angeles, CA

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

Toronto
$92,759
/ year
-53%
difference
Los Angeles, CA
$195,742
/ year
Bottom line: Los Angeles wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Toronto
Los Angeles
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$92,759
$195,742✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$61,545
$126,585✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$139,804
$302,680✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$63,076
$130,926✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$74,207
$141,842✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.25×✓ lower
1.38×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$83,701
$126,585✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$190,133
$302,680✓ higher

What if you move from Toronto to Los Angeles?

Gross salary change
+$102,983
53% increase
Take-home change
+$67,850
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$67,635
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

Toronto$92,759
P10: $83,701Median: $92,759P90: $190,133
Los Angeles, CA$195,742
P10: $126,585Median: $195,742P90: $302,680

More Software Engineer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Software Engineer earn more in Toronto or Los Angeles?

The median Software Engineer salary in Toronto is CA$126,152/yr compared to $195,742/yr in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles pays 53% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Software Engineer salary worth more in Toronto or Los Angeles after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Toronto salary has the purchasing power of $74,207/yr in a median-cost city, vs $141,842/yr for Los Angeles. Los Angeles offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Software Engineer in Toronto vs Los Angeles?

After estimated taxes, a Software Engineer in Toronto takes home approximately $63,076/yr, vs $130,926/yr in Los Angeles, CA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.