Software Developer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Software Developer Salary: Raleigh, NC vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Software Developers in Raleigh, NC and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$125,000 vs $175,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$121,359 vs $94,086
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$107,090 vs $78,851
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $125,000 | $175,000▲ | -$50,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $96,000 | $135,000▲ | -$39,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $162,000 | $225,000▲ | -$63,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $200,000 | $280,000▲ | -$80,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 186 | -83 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 9.3% | -4.800000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $121,359▲ | $94,086 | +$27,273 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $110,303 | $146,662▲ | -$36,359 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $107,090▲ | $78,851 | +$28,239 |
| Total Employment | 22,000 | 52,000 | -30,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $50,000 more (median: $125,000 vs $175,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 186), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($121,359 vs $94,086 equivalent). Raleigh, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% vs 9.3%).
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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.