Software Developer Salary in Houston, TX — 2026 Guide
Estimated salaries are adjusted for Houston's cost of living (index: 101). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.
Software Developer Salary in Houston — Key Numbers
Cost of Living in Houston
Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.
Job Market in Houston
Houston has a metro population of 7,470,000, offering a large, diverse job market with many employers across all industries. The 4.2% unemployment rate is near the national average.
Financial Calculators for Houston
Other Professions in Houston
Software Developer Salary — Other Texas Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Software Developer make in Houston, TX?
The estimated median salary for a Software Developer in Houston is $131,462 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $130,160 adjusted by Houston's cost of living index (101). The typical salary range runs from $100,798 (25th percentile) to $170,256 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $210,706.
Is Houston affordable for a Software Developer?
On a $131,462 annual salary, a Software Developer in Houston would spend approximately 11.5% of gross monthly income on median rent ($1,262/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Houston relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $320,000 is 2.4× the annual salary.
How does a Software Developer's salary compare to Houston's overall income?
Houston's median household income is $67,800. A Software Developer earning the city-adjusted median of $131,462 earns 93.9% more than the typical Houston household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.
Explore More Salary Data
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.