Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in San Francisco, CA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$170,000 vs $136,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$91,398 vs $109,677
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$76,598 vs $101,342
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $170,000▲ | $136,000 | +$34,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $130,900▲ | $104,720 | +$26,180 |
| 75th Percentile | $217,600▲ | $174,080 | +$43,520 |
| 90th Percentile | $272,000▲ | $217,600 | +$54,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 124 | +62 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $91,398 | $109,677▲ | -$18,279 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $142,472▲ | $125,664 | +$16,808 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $76,598 | $101,342▲ | -$24,744 |
| Total Employment | 41,600 | 30,400 | +11,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $34,000 more (median: $170,000 vs $136,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($91,398 vs $109,677 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.