Software Developer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Software Developer Salary: San Diego, CA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Software Developers in San Diego, CA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Diego, CA
$145,000 vs $140,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$95,395 vs $112,903
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$79,947 vs $104,323
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $145,000▲ | $140,000 | +$5,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $112,000▲ | $108,000 | +$4,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $188,000▲ | $182,000 | +$6,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $232,000▲ | $225,000 | +$7,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 124 | +28 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $95,395 | $112,903▲ | -$17,508 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $121,520 | $129,360▲ | -$7,840 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $79,947 | $104,323▲ | -$24,376 |
| Total Employment | 24,000 | 38,000 | -14,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Diego, CA pays $5,000 more (median: $145,000 vs $140,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($95,395 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.