Software Developer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Software Developer Salary: El Paso, TX vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Software Developers in El Paso, TX and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$88,000 vs $170,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$103,529 vs $104,938
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$95,661 vs $96,963
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $88,000 | $170,000▲ | -$82,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $66,000 | $130,000▲ | -$64,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $113,000 | $218,000▲ | -$105,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $142,000 | $270,000▲ | -$128,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 162 | -77 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $103,529 | $104,938▲ | -$1,409 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $81,312 | $157,080▲ | -$75,768 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $95,661 | $96,963▲ | -$1,302 |
| Total Employment | 6,000 | 58,000 | -52,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $82,000 more (median: $88,000 vs $170,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($103,529 vs $104,938 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.