Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Houston, TX vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Houston, TX and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$113,000 vs $148,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$105,607 vs $79,144
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$97,581 vs $68,120
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $113,000 | $148,000▲ | -$35,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $87,010 | $113,960▲ | -$26,950 |
| 75th Percentile | $144,640 | $189,440▲ | -$44,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $180,800 | $236,800▲ | -$56,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 187 | -80 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $105,607▲ | $79,144 | +$26,463 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $104,412 | $127,384▲ | -$22,972 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $97,581▲ | $68,120 | +$29,461 |
| Total Employment | 22,400 | 54,400 | -32,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $35,000 more (median: $113,000 vs $148,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 187), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($105,607 vs $79,144 equivalent). Houston, 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.