Software Developer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Software Developer Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Software Developers in San Francisco, CA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$175,000 vs $140,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$94,086 vs $112,903
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$78,851 vs $104,323
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $175,000▲ | $140,000 | +$35,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $135,000▲ | $108,000 | +$27,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $225,000▲ | $182,000 | +$43,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $280,000▲ | $225,000 | +$55,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 124 | +62 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $94,086 | $112,903▲ | -$18,817 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $146,662▲ | $129,360 | +$17,302 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $78,851 | $104,323▲ | -$25,472 |
| Total Employment | 52,000 | 38,000 | +14,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $35,000 more (median: $175,000 vs $140,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($94,086 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.