Software Developer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Software Developer Salary: Austin, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Software Developers 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
$140,000 vs $175,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$112,903 vs $94,086
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$104,323 vs $78,851
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $140,000 | $175,000▲ | -$35,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $108,000 | $135,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $182,000 | $225,000▲ | -$43,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $225,000 | $280,000▲ | -$55,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 186 | -62 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $112,903▲ | $94,086 | +$18,817 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $129,360 | $146,662▲ | -$17,302 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $104,323▲ | $78,851 | +$25,472 |
| Total Employment | 38,000 | 52,000 | -14,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $35,000 more (median: $140,000 vs $175,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 186), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($112,903 vs $94,086 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.