Software Developer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Software Developer Salary: New York, NY vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Software Developers in New York, NY and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$168,000 vs $140,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$89,840 vs $112,903
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$77,326 vs $104,323
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | New York, NY | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $168,000▲ | $140,000 | +$28,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $128,000▲ | $108,000 | +$20,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $215,000▲ | $182,000 | +$33,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $265,000▲ | $225,000 | +$40,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 187 | 124 | +63 |
| State Income Tax | 6.85% | 0%▲ | +6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $89,840 | $112,903▲ | -$23,063 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $144,599▲ | $129,360 | +$15,239 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $77,326 | $104,323▲ | -$26,997 |
| Total Employment | 68,000 | 38,000 | +30,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = New York, NY minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $28,000 more (median: $168,000 vs $140,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 187 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($89,840 vs $112,903 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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.