Software Developer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Software Developer Salary: Washington, DC vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Software Developers in Washington, DC and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Washington, DC
$152,000 vs $140,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$100,000 vs $112,903
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$86,394 vs $104,323
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $152,000▲ | $140,000 | +$12,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $118,000▲ | $108,000 | +$10,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $198,000▲ | $182,000 | +$16,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $245,000▲ | $225,000 | +$20,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 124 | +28 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5% | 0%▲ | +6.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $100,000 | $112,903▲ | -$12,903 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $131,319▲ | $129,360 | +$1,959 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $86,394 | $104,323▲ | -$17,929 |
| Total Employment | 45,000 | 38,000 | +7,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Washington, DC pays $12,000 more (median: $152,000 vs $140,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($100,000 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.