Side-by-side · Software Engineer
Miami vs Houston
Move Value
+$26k
real, after tax + COL · per year
Career Velocity
6/10
Miami: 6/10 → lateral
10-Year Outlook
+$306k
± $157k confidence band
| Miami | Houston | |
|---|---|---|
| P50 salary, role | $118k | $122k |
| State + local income tax | None | None |
| After-tax income | $91k | $94k |
| Cost of living (US = 100) | 138 | 102 |
| Median 1BR rent | $2683/mo | $1619/mo |
| Real purchasing power | $66k | $92k |
| Career Velocity (this role) | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Career Velocity v1 (0–100) | 72 · Strong | 18 · Thin |
| Walkability (0–10) | 6 | 3 |
| Outdoors (0–10) | 8 | 5 |
Who should make this move
Choose Houston if…
- ·You want $26k more real income per year on day one.
- ·Your field's Career Velocity is at least as good in Houston (6/10).
- ·Your 10-year picture lands $306k ahead.
- ·Energy and medical jobs at one of America's lowest big-city costs.
Stay in Miami if…
- ·You're optimizing for what Miami uniquely offers: no state income tax, finance and creative capital of the southeast.
A note on the numbers: Salaries are role-P50 from BLS-style bands. Tax is statutory state + local at ~$110k single. The 10-year outlook uses a 3-year promotion cadence with a small velocity adjustment, 2.5% COL inflation, and discounts to today's dollars. Full assumptions on the methodology page.