College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Houston, TX vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors 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
$70,000 vs $92,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$65,421 vs $49,198
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$60,449 vs $42,345
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $70,000 | $92,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $53,900 | $70,840▲ | -$16,940 |
| 75th Percentile | $89,600 | $117,760▲ | -$28,160 |
| 90th Percentile | $112,000 | $147,200▲ | -$35,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 187 | -80 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $65,421▲ | $49,198 | +$16,223 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $64,680 | $79,185▲ | -$14,505 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $60,449▲ | $42,345 | +$18,104 |
| Total Employment | 42,000 | 102,000 | -60,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $22,000 more (median: $70,000 vs $92,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 187), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($65,421 vs $49,198 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.