AI
AI Engineer Salary · San Francisco vs Austin
Net pay, tax drag, and purchasing power modeled for 2025 offers. Built for relocating teams, expats, and comp committees.
Net pay
San Francisco
$182,637
30.0% effective rate
Net pay
Austin
$161,388
28.3% effective rate
Annual delta
Spread
+$21,249
San Francisco advantage
City
San Francisco
The epicenter of global technology, offering the highest base salaries adjusted for a fiercely competitive housing market.
Median professional income
$78,500
Role modeled
AI Engineer
Gross base
$261,000
Net after tax
$182,637
Cost-of-living index
96
Rent index
98
City
Austin
A rapidly expanding tech hub benefiting from Texas’s zero state income tax policy.
Median professional income
$78,500
Role modeled
AI Engineer
Gross base
$225,000
Net after tax
$161,388
Cost-of-living index
67
Rent index
56
Purchasing power
Net income vs lifestyle drag
San Francisco
$15,220
Austin
$13,449
Cost-of-living deep dive
Flip into the COL template for this exact pair. See rent burdens, discretionary drift, and PPP commentary.
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