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