Software Developer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Software Developer Salary: Austin, TX vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Software Developers in Austin, TX and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$140,000 vs $168,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$112,903 vs $89,840
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$104,323 vs $77,326
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $140,000 | $168,000▲ | -$28,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $108,000 | $128,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $182,000 | $215,000▲ | -$33,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $225,000 | $265,000▲ | -$40,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 187 | -63 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $112,903▲ | $89,840 | +$23,063 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $129,360 | $144,599▲ | -$15,239 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $104,323▲ | $77,326 | +$26,997 |
| Total Employment | 38,000 | 68,000 | -30,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $28,000 more (median: $140,000 vs $168,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 187), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($112,903 vs $89,840 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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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.