Salary Comparison Tool
Compare any two roles, states, or cities side-by-side. See real purchasing power after taxes and cost of living.
Option A
Option B
Better real-value option
Frontend Developer / TX
$127,174 cost-of-living adjusted annual salary (2% less purchasing power)
Gross Salary
Software Engineer / CA
$168,000
✓ Higher
Frontend Developer / TX
$117,000
Est. Take-Home
Software Engineer / CA
$92,484
✓ Higher
Frontend Developer / TX
$79,970
COL-Adjusted Salary
Software Engineer / CA
$124,444
Frontend Developer / TX
$127,174
✓ Higher
State Income Tax Rate
Software Engineer / CA
13.3%
Frontend Developer / TX
0.0%
✓ Higher
Entry-Level Salary
Software Engineer / CA
$115,000
✓ Higher
Frontend Developer / TX
$77,000
Senior-Level Salary
Software Engineer / CA
$240,000
✓ Higher
Frontend Developer / TX
$170,000
Side-by-Side Comparison
Why Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary Matters
A $168,000 salary in San Francisco and a $132,000 salary in Austin feel very different when you account for what each dollar buys. San Francisco's cost of living index is approximately 194 (94% above the US average), while Austin sits at roughly 128. After adjusting for this difference, the Austin salary often provides comparable or superior purchasing power — particularly for housing.
This is why tech workers increasingly relocate from high-cost coastal cities to Austin, Denver, Raleigh, and Nashville. The salary differential rarely compensates fully for the housing cost gap. Use this tool to compare your options before accepting or negotiating a job offer.