Network Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Network Engineer Salary: Houston, TX vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Network Engineers in Houston, TX and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$87,000 vs $116,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$81,308 vs $71,605
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$75,129 vs $66,163
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $87,000 | $116,000▲ | -$29,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $66,990 | $89,320▲ | -$22,330 |
| 75th Percentile | $111,360 | $148,480▲ | -$37,120 |
| 90th Percentile | $139,200 | $185,600▲ | -$46,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 162 | -55 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $81,308▲ | $71,605 | +$9,703 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $80,388 | $107,184▲ | -$26,796 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $75,129▲ | $66,163 | +$8,966 |
| Total Employment | 42,000 | 87,000 | -45,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $29,000 more (median: $87,000 vs $116,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 162), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($81,308 vs $71,605 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.