Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: New York, NY vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in New York, NY and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$98,000 vs $75,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$52,406 vs $60,484
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$45,106 vs $55,887
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | New York, NY | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $98,000▲ | $75,000 | +$23,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $74,000▲ | $57,000 | +$17,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $127,000▲ | $97,000 | +$30,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $160,000▲ | $122,000 | +$38,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 187 | 124 | +63 |
| State Income Tax | 6.85% | 0%▲ | +6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $52,406 | $60,484▲ | -$8,078 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $84,349▲ | $69,300 | +$15,049 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $45,106 | $55,887▲ | -$10,781 |
| Total Employment | 45,000 | 14,000 | +31,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = New York, NY minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $23,000 more (median: $98,000 vs $75,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 187 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($52,406 vs $60,484 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.