Software Developer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Software Developer Salary: Dallas, TX vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Software Developers in Dallas, TX and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$132,000 vs $140,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Dallas, TX
$117,857 vs $112,903
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Dallas, TX
$108,900 vs $104,323
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $132,000 | $140,000▲ | -$8,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $102,000 | $108,000▲ | -$6,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $170,000 | $182,000▲ | -$12,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $210,000 | $225,000▲ | -$15,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 124 | -12 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $117,857▲ | $112,903 | +$4,954 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $121,968 | $129,360▲ | -$7,392 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $108,900▲ | $104,323 | +$4,577 |
| Total Employment | 35,000 | 38,000 | -3,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Dallas, TX minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $8,000 more (median: $132,000 vs $140,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 124), Dallas, TX provides better purchasing power ($117,857 vs $112,903 equivalent). Dallas, 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.