Software Developer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Software Developer Salary: El Paso, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Software Developers in El Paso, TX and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$88,000 vs $175,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ El Paso, TX
$103,529 vs $94,086
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ El Paso, TX
$95,661 vs $78,851
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $88,000 | $175,000▲ | -$87,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $66,000 | $135,000▲ | -$69,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $113,000 | $225,000▲ | -$112,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $142,000 | $280,000▲ | -$138,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 186 | -101 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $103,529▲ | $94,086 | +$9,443 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $81,312 | $146,662▲ | -$65,350 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $95,661▲ | $78,851 | +$16,810 |
| Total Employment | 6,000 | 52,000 | -46,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $87,000 more (median: $88,000 vs $175,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 186), El Paso, TX provides better purchasing power ($103,529 vs $94,086 equivalent). El Paso, 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.