Software Developer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Software Developer Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Software Developers in Los Angeles, CA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$150,000 vs $168,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ New York, NY
$86,705 vs $89,840
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ New York, NY
$72,665 vs $77,326
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $150,000 | $168,000▲ | -$18,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $115,000 | $128,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $195,000 | $215,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $242,000 | $265,000▲ | -$23,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 187 | -14 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 6.85%▲ | +2.450000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $86,705 | $89,840▲ | -$3,135 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $125,710 | $144,599▲ | -$18,889 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $72,665 | $77,326▲ | -$4,661 |
| Total Employment | 48,000 | 68,000 | -20,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $18,000 more (median: $150,000 vs $168,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 187), New York, NY provides better purchasing power ($86,705 vs $89,840 equivalent). New York, NY has the lower state tax rate (6.85% vs 9.3%).
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.