Network Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Network Engineer Salary: Austin, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Network 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
$95,000 vs $119,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$76,613 vs $63,978
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$70,790 vs $53,618
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $95,000 | $119,000▲ | -$24,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,150 | $91,630▲ | -$18,480 |
| 75th Percentile | $121,600 | $152,320▲ | -$30,720 |
| 90th Percentile | $152,000 | $190,400▲ | -$38,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 186 | -62 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $76,613▲ | $63,978 | +$12,635 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $87,780 | $99,730▲ | -$11,950 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $70,790▲ | $53,618 | +$17,172 |
| Total Employment | 57,000 | 78,000 | -21,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $24,000 more (median: $95,000 vs $119,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 186), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($76,613 vs $63,978 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.