Software Developer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Software Developer Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Software Developers in Los Angeles, CA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$150,000 vs $175,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Francisco, CA
$86,705 vs $94,086
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Francisco, CA
$72,665 vs $78,851
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $150,000 | $175,000▲ | -$25,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $115,000 | $135,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $195,000 | $225,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $242,000 | $280,000▲ | -$38,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 186 | -13 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3%▲ | 9.3% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $86,705 | $94,086▲ | -$7,381 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $125,710 | $146,662▲ | -$20,952 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $72,665 | $78,851▲ | -$6,186 |
| Total Employment | 48,000 | 52,000 | -4,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $25,000 more (median: $150,000 vs $175,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 186), San Francisco, CA provides better purchasing power ($86,705 vs $94,086 equivalent). San Francisco, CA has the lower state tax rate (9.3% 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.