Software Developer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Software Developer Salary: Salt Lake City, UT vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Software Developers in Salt Lake City, UT and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$120,000 vs $140,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$107,143 vs $112,903
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$94,396 vs $104,323
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $120,000 | $140,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $92,000 | $108,000▲ | -$16,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $155,000 | $182,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $192,000 | $225,000▲ | -$33,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 124 | -12 |
| State Income Tax | 4.65% | 0%▲ | +4.65% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $107,143 | $112,903▲ | -$5,760 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $105,724 | $129,360▲ | -$23,636 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $94,396 | $104,323▲ | -$9,927 |
| Total Employment | 18,000 | 38,000 | -20,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Salt Lake City, UT minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $20,000 more (median: $120,000 vs $140,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($107,143 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.