Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: Houston, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in Houston, TX and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$124,000 vs $170,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$115,888 vs $91,398
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$107,080 vs $76,598
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $124,000 | $170,000▲ | -$46,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $95,480 | $130,900▲ | -$35,420 |
| 75th Percentile | $158,720 | $217,600▲ | -$58,880 |
| 90th Percentile | $198,400 | $272,000▲ | -$73,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 186 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $115,888▲ | $91,398 | +$24,490 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $114,576 | $142,472▲ | -$27,896 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $107,080▲ | $76,598 | +$30,482 |
| Total Employment | 22,400 | 41,600 | -19,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $46,000 more (median: $124,000 vs $170,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 186), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($115,888 vs $91,398 equivalent). Houston, 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.