Software Developer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Software Developer Salary: Portland, OR vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Software Developers in Portland, OR and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Portland, OR
$140,000 vs $140,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$107,692 vs $112,903
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$90,801 vs $104,323
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Portland, OR | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $140,000▲ | $140,000 | — |
| 25th Percentile | $108,000▲ | $108,000 | — |
| 75th Percentile | $180,000 | $182,000▲ | -$2,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $222,000 | $225,000▲ | -$3,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 130 | 124 | +6 |
| State Income Tax | 8.75% | 0%▲ | +8.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $107,692 | $112,903▲ | -$5,211 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $118,041 | $129,360▲ | -$11,319 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $90,801 | $104,323▲ | -$13,522 |
| Total Employment | 20,000 | 38,000 | -18,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Portland, OR minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Portland, OR pays $0 more (median: $140,000 vs $140,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 130 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($107,692 vs $112,903 equivalent). Austin, 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.