San Francisco vs Toronto for Software Engineers (2026)
The HackerX talent pool has 2,201 developers in San Francisco and 3,393 developers in Toronto. Compare developer supply, in-demand stacks, estimated salary bands, cost of living and upcoming HackerX hiring events below.
San Francisco
| Junior (0–2 yrs) | $110K – $145K |
| Mid-level (2–5 yrs) | $140K – $185K |
| Senior (5–8 yrs) | $180K – $240K |
| Staff+ (8+ yrs) | $230K – $320K |
Salary figures are 2026 market estimates, not HackerX data. See the San Francisco salary guide.
Toronto
| Junior (0–2 yrs) | C$70K – C$95K |
| Mid-level (2–5 yrs) | C$95K – C$125K |
| Senior (5–8 yrs) | C$120K – C$160K |
| Staff+ (8+ yrs) | C$150K – C$200K |
Salary figures are 2026 market estimates, not HackerX data. See the Toronto salary guide.
Cost of living & pay, side by side
Cost of living in San Francisco is roughly 37% higher than in Toronto (estimated cost-of-living index San Francisco 96 vs Toronto 70, where New York = 100). These are estimates for guidance only.
San Francisco: San Francisco remains the highest-paying software engineering market in the world. Remote roles pinned to Bay Area pay bands are increasingly rare, which keeps in-person SF hiring competitive.
Toronto: Toronto is Canada's highest-paying tech market. US companies hiring in Toronto often pay 20–40% above local bands, narrowing the gap with US hubs.
Ready to make a move?
Developers: create a free HackerX profile and get invited to hiring events. Employers: meet vetted engineers in these cities.