Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Austin, TX vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys 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
$123,000 vs $148,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$99,194 vs $79,144
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$91,655 vs $68,120
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $123,000 | $148,000▲ | -$25,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $94,710 | $113,960▲ | -$19,250 |
| 75th Percentile | $157,440 | $189,440▲ | -$32,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $196,800 | $236,800▲ | -$40,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 187 | -63 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $99,194▲ | $79,144 | +$20,050 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $113,652 | $127,384▲ | -$13,732 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $91,655▲ | $68,120 | +$23,535 |
| Total Employment | 30,400 | 54,400 | -24,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $25,000 more (median: $123,000 vs $148,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 187), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($99,194 vs $79,144 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.