Software Engineer Salaries by City 2025

Complete guide to tech salaries and cost of living across 40 major US cities

Thinking about relocating for a software engineering job? Salary is just one piece of the puzzle. This guide breaks down what software engineers actually earn across 40 major US cities—and what that money is really worth after cost of living.

Top 5 Highest Paying Cities (Senior Engineers)

  1. San Jose, CA - $205,000
  2. San Francisco, CA - $195,000
  3. Seattle, WA - $185,000
  4. New York, NY - $175,000
  5. Los Angeles, CA - $170,000

Top 5 Best Value (Real Income After Cost of Living)

  1. Austin, TX - Strong salaries, moderate costs
  2. Raleigh, NC - Good pay, low cost of living
  3. Atlanta, GA - Competitive salaries, affordable housing
  4. Dallas, TX - No state income tax, reasonable rent
  5. Denver, CO - Growing tech scene, decent cost balance

Note: Salaries shown are averages for full-time software engineers. Junior = 0-2 years experience, Mid-Level = 3-5 years, Senior = 6-10 years.

West Coast Tech Hubs

San Francisco, California

Junior
$125k
Mid-Level
$158k
Senior
$195k
Cost of Living Index: 189 (89% above national average)
Average Rent: $3,200/month
Reality Check: High salaries, but rent and expenses eat into earnings significantly.

San Jose, California

Junior
$130k
Mid-Level
$167k
Senior
$205k
Cost of Living Index: 185
Average Rent: $3,100/month
Reality Check: Highest nominal salaries in the country, located in the heart of Silicon Valley.

Seattle, Washington

Junior
$115k
Mid-Level
$148k
Senior
$185k
Cost of Living Index: 165
Average Rent: $2,400/month
Reality Check: Strong tech presence (Amazon, Microsoft), no state income tax helps.

Mountain & Southwest

Austin, Texas

Junior
$85k
Mid-Level
$110k
Senior
$145k
Cost of Living Index: 112
Average Rent: $1,600/month
Reality Check: No state income tax, booming tech industry, excellent value.

Denver, Colorado

Junior
$90k
Mid-Level
$115k
Senior
$150k
Cost of Living Index: 125
Average Rent: $1,900/month
Reality Check: Growing tech scene with good salary-to-cost ratio.

East Coast

New York, New York

Junior
$110k
Mid-Level
$134k
Senior
$175k
Cost of Living Index: 187
Average Rent: $4,400/month
Reality Check: Sky-high salaries meet sky-high rent. Financial services and startups.

Boston, Massachusetts

Junior
$95k
Mid-Level
$125k
Senior
$160k
Cost of Living Index: 152
Average Rent: $2,800/month
Reality Check: Strong biotech and education tech sectors.

Southeast

Atlanta, Georgia

Junior
$80k
Mid-Level
$105k
Senior
$140k
Cost of Living Index: 108
Average Rent: $1,550/month
Reality Check: Major tech hub with reasonable costs. Great value proposition.

Raleigh, North Carolina

Junior
$80k
Mid-Level
$105k
Senior
$135k
Cost of Living Index: 102
Average Rent: $1,400/month
Reality Check: Research Triangle tech scene, one of the best salary-to-cost ratios.

Midwest

Chicago, Illinois

Junior
$85k
Mid-Level
$110k
Senior
$145k
Cost of Living Index: 115
Average Rent: $1,700/month
Reality Check: Major tech scene, reasonable costs compared to coasts.

Key Takeaways

1. Salary Isn't Everything

A $120,000 salary in San Francisco leaves you with less disposable income than $90,000 in Austin after accounting for rent and living costs.

2. No State Income Tax States Win

Texas, Washington, and Florida offer significant advantages since there's no state income tax eating into your paycheck.

3. Remote Work Changed Everything

If you can work remotely, you can earn coastal salaries while living in lower-cost cities—the ultimate arbitrage.

4. Mid-Tier Cities Offer Best Value

Cities like Austin, Raleigh, Atlanta, and Denver offer strong salaries with manageable costs. You'll have more money left over each month.

5. Experience Matters Everywhere

Senior engineers earn 50-60% more than junior engineers across all markets. Invest in skill development.

Making Your Decision

Raw salary numbers don't tell the full story. Use our calculator to see what your offer is really worth after cost of living adjustments.

Analyze Your Job Offer

Last updated: December 2025