Software Developer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Software Developer Salary: San Francisco, CA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Software Developers in San Francisco, CA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$175,000 vs $168,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Francisco, CA
$94,086 vs $89,840
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Francisco, CA
$78,851 vs $77,326
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $175,000▲ | $168,000 | +$7,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $135,000▲ | $128,000 | +$7,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $225,000▲ | $215,000 | +$10,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $280,000▲ | $265,000 | +$15,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 187 | -1 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 6.85%▲ | +2.450000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $94,086▲ | $89,840 | +$4,246 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $146,662▲ | $144,599 | +$2,063 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $78,851▲ | $77,326 | +$1,525 |
| Total Employment | 52,000 | 68,000 | -16,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $7,000 more (median: $175,000 vs $168,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 187), San Francisco, CA provides better purchasing power ($94,086 vs $89,840 equivalent). New York, NY has the lower state tax rate (6.85% 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.