Software Developer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Software Developer Salary: San Diego, CA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Software Developers in San Diego, CA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$145,000 vs $175,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Diego, CA
$95,395 vs $94,086
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Diego, CA
$79,947 vs $78,851
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $145,000 | $175,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $112,000 | $135,000▲ | -$23,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $188,000 | $225,000▲ | -$37,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $232,000 | $280,000▲ | -$48,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 186 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3%▲ | 9.3% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $95,395▲ | $94,086 | +$1,309 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $121,520 | $146,662▲ | -$25,142 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $79,947▲ | $78,851 | +$1,096 |
| Total Employment | 24,000 | 52,000 | -28,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $30,000 more (median: $145,000 vs $175,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 186), San Diego, CA provides better purchasing power ($95,395 vs $94,086 equivalent). San Francisco, CA has the lower state tax rate (9.3% vs 9.3%).
4More Software Developer City Comparisons
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.