Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: Dallas, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in Dallas, TX and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$128,000 vs $170,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Dallas, TX
$114,286 vs $91,398
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Dallas, TX
$105,600 vs $76,598
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Dallas, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $128,000 | $170,000▲ | -$42,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $98,560 | $130,900▲ | -$32,340 |
| 75th Percentile | $163,840 | $217,600▲ | -$53,760 |
| 90th Percentile | $204,800 | $272,000▲ | -$67,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 186 | -74 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $114,286▲ | $91,398 | +$22,888 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $118,272 | $142,472▲ | -$24,200 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $105,600▲ | $76,598 | +$29,002 |
| Total Employment | 28,000 | 41,600 | -13,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Dallas, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $42,000 more (median: $128,000 vs $170,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 186), Dallas, TX provides better purchasing power ($114,286 vs $91,398 equivalent). Dallas, 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.