Software Developer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Software Developer Salary: El Paso, TX vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Software Developers in El Paso, TX and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$88,000 vs $155,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ El Paso, TX
$103,529 vs $95,679
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ El Paso, TX
$95,661 vs $83,987
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $88,000 | $155,000▲ | -$67,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $66,000 | $118,000▲ | -$52,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $113,000 | $200,000▲ | -$87,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $142,000 | $248,000▲ | -$106,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 162 | -77 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $103,529▲ | $95,679 | +$7,850 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $81,312 | $136,059▲ | -$54,747 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $95,661▲ | $83,987 | +$11,674 |
| Total Employment | 6,000 | 42,000 | -36,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $67,000 more (median: $88,000 vs $155,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 162), El Paso, TX provides better purchasing power ($103,529 vs $95,679 equivalent). El Paso, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
4More Software Developer City Comparisons
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.