Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: El Paso, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in El Paso, TX and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$85,000 vs $170,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ El Paso, TX
$100,000 vs $91,398
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ El Paso, TX
$92,400 vs $76,598
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $85,000 | $170,000▲ | -$85,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $65,450 | $130,900▲ | -$65,450 |
| 75th Percentile | $108,800 | $217,600▲ | -$108,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $136,000 | $272,000▲ | -$136,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 186 | -101 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $100,000▲ | $91,398 | +$8,602 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $78,540 | $142,472▲ | -$63,932 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $92,400▲ | $76,598 | +$15,802 |
| Total Employment | 4,800 | 41,600 | -36,800 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $85,000 more (median: $85,000 vs $170,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 186), El Paso, TX provides better purchasing power ($100,000 vs $91,398 equivalent). El Paso, 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.