Cloud Architect · Salary Comparison · 2026
Cloud Architect Salary: Houston, TX vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Cloud Architects 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
$122,000 vs $160,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$114,019 vs $85,561
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$105,353 vs $73,643
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $122,000 | $160,000▲ | -$38,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $93,940 | $123,200▲ | -$29,260 |
| 75th Percentile | $156,160 | $204,800▲ | -$48,640 |
| 90th Percentile | $195,200 | $256,000▲ | -$60,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 187 | -80 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $114,019▲ | $85,561 | +$28,458 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $112,728 | $137,713▲ | -$24,985 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $105,353▲ | $73,643 | +$31,710 |
| 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 $38,000 more (median: $122,000 vs $160,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 187), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($114,019 vs $85,561 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.