Software Developer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Software Developer Salary: Houston, TX vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Software Developers in Houston, TX and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$128,000 vs $155,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$119,626 vs $95,679
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$110,535 vs $83,987
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $128,000 | $155,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $98,000 | $118,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $165,000 | $200,000▲ | -$35,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $205,000 | $248,000▲ | -$43,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 162 | -55 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $119,626▲ | $95,679 | +$23,947 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $118,272 | $136,059▲ | -$17,787 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $110,535▲ | $83,987 | +$26,548 |
| Total Employment | 28,000 | 42,000 | -14,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $27,000 more (median: $128,000 vs $155,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 162), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($119,626 vs $95,679 equivalent). Houston, 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.