Software Developer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Software Developer Salary: Seattle, WA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Software Developers in Seattle, WA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$170,000 vs $168,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$104,938 vs $89,840
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$96,963 vs $77,326
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $170,000▲ | $168,000 | +$2,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $130,000▲ | $128,000 | +$2,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $218,000▲ | $215,000 | +$3,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $270,000▲ | $265,000 | +$5,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 187 | -25 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $104,938▲ | $89,840 | +$15,098 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $157,080▲ | $144,599 | +$12,481 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $96,963▲ | $77,326 | +$19,637 |
| Total Employment | 58,000 | 68,000 | -10,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $2,000 more (median: $170,000 vs $168,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 187), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($104,938 vs $89,840 equivalent). Seattle, WA 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.