Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: Austin, TX vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in Austin, TX and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$75,000 vs $98,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$60,484 vs $52,406
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$55,887 vs $45,106
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $75,000 | $98,000▲ | -$23,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $57,000 | $74,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $97,000 | $127,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $122,000 | $160,000▲ | -$38,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 187 | -63 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $60,484▲ | $52,406 | +$8,078 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $69,300 | $84,349▲ | -$15,049 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $55,887▲ | $45,106 | +$10,781 |
| Total Employment | 14,000 | 45,000 | -31,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $23,000 more (median: $75,000 vs $98,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 187), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($60,484 vs $52,406 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.