Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: Austin, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in Austin, TX and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$136,000 vs $170,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$109,677 vs $91,398
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$101,342 vs $76,598
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $136,000 | $170,000▲ | -$34,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $104,720 | $130,900▲ | -$26,180 |
| 75th Percentile | $174,080 | $217,600▲ | -$43,520 |
| 90th Percentile | $217,600 | $272,000▲ | -$54,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 186 | -62 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $109,677▲ | $91,398 | +$18,279 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $125,664 | $142,472▲ | -$16,808 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $101,342▲ | $76,598 | +$24,744 |
| Total Employment | 30,400 | 41,600 | -11,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $34,000 more (median: $136,000 vs $170,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 186), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($109,677 vs $91,398 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.