Software Developer Salary in Houston, TX
Software Developers in Houston, TX earn a median of $128,000/year, ranging from $98,000 (25th percentile) to $205,000 (90th percentile). After Texas state taxes (0%) and cost-of-living adjustments (COL index 107), this is equivalent to $119,626 in purchasing power vs the US average.
1Salary Distribution in Houston, TX
2Estimated Take-Home & Purchasing Power
* Estimates only. Does not include federal income tax, 401k, health insurance, or local taxes. Use the Salary Calculator for a detailed breakdown.
How Does Houston, TX Compare?
| City | Median | COL Index | COL-Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston, TX (current) | $128,000 | 107 | $119,626 |
| Austin, TX | $140,000 | 124 | $112,903 |
| Dallas, TX | $132,000 | 112 | $117,857 |
| El Paso, TX | $88,000 | 85 | $103,529 |
| San Francisco, CA | $175,000 | 186 | $94,086 |
| New York, NY | $168,000 | 187 | $89,840 |
4Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Software Developer salary in Houston, TX?
The median Software Developer salary in Houston, TX is $128,000 per year as of 2026 BLS OEWS data. The 25th percentile is $98,000 and the 90th percentile is $205,000.
Is Houston, TX a good place to work as a Software Developer?
Houston, TX has a cost of living index of 107 (US average = 100). After adjusting for cost of living, a $128,000 Software Developer salary in Houston, TX is equivalent to $119,626 in purchasing power compared to the US average.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Houston, TX?
Houston, TX has a cost of living index of 107, meaning it is 7% more expensive than the US average. The state income tax rate in Texas is approximately 0%.
What is the Software Developer salary range in Houston, TX?
In Houston, TX, Software Developers earn between $98,000 (25th percentile) and $205,000 (90th percentile), with a median of $128,000 per year.
How many Software Developer jobs are there in Houston, TX?
According to BLS OEWS data, there are approximately 28,000 Software Developer positions in the Houston, TX metropolitan area.
What do Software Developers earn in Houston, TX?
Based on BLS OEWS 2026 data, Software Developers in Houston, TX earn a median annual wage of $128,000. The middle 50% earn between $98,000 and $165,000. The top 10% earn more than $205,000. There are approximately 28,000 Software Developers employed in the Houston, TX metro area, with annual job growth estimated at 4.2%.
Is Houston, TX a good place for a Software Developer?
Houston, TX has a cost of living index of 107 (US average = 100), making it 7% more expensive than the national average. After adjusting for cost of living, a Software Developer in Houston, TX earning $128,000has the equivalent purchasing power of $119,626 relative to the US median. Texas has no state income tax, which is a significant financial advantage.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Houston, TX?
Houston, TX's cost of living index is 107, based on composite data including housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and utilities. This means that $128,000 in Houston, TXhas the same purchasing power as $119,626 in a city at exactly the US average cost of living. Housing is typically the largest driver of cost of living differences between metros.
Compare Houston, TX with Another City
See a detailed side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, and purchasing power.
Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program. All figures are approximate annual estimates based on the most recent available BLS data. Actual salaries may vary based on experience, education, employer size, and specific role. Cost-of-living data represents composite indices from publicly available metropolitan area data.