Software Developer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Software Developer Salary: San Diego, CA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Software Developers in San Diego, CA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$145,000 vs $168,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Diego, CA
$95,395 vs $89,840
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Diego, CA
$79,947 vs $77,326
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $145,000 | $168,000▲ | -$23,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $112,000 | $128,000▲ | -$16,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $188,000 | $215,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $232,000 | $265,000▲ | -$33,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 187 | -35 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 6.85%▲ | +2.450000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $95,395▲ | $89,840 | +$5,555 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $121,520 | $144,599▲ | -$23,079 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $79,947▲ | $77,326 | +$2,621 |
| Total Employment | 24,000 | 68,000 | -44,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $23,000 more (median: $145,000 vs $168,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 187), San Diego, CA provides better purchasing power ($95,395 vs $89,840 equivalent). New York, NY has the lower state tax rate (6.85% 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.