College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: New York, NY vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors 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
$92,000 vs $77,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$49,198 vs $62,097
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$42,345 vs $57,377
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | New York, NY | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $92,000▲ | $77,000 | +$15,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $70,840▲ | $59,290 | +$11,550 |
| 75th Percentile | $117,760▲ | $98,560 | +$19,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $147,200▲ | $123,200 | +$24,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 187 | 124 | +63 |
| State Income Tax | 6.85% | 0%▲ | +6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $49,198 | $62,097▲ | -$12,899 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $79,185▲ | $71,148 | +$8,037 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $42,345 | $57,377▲ | -$15,032 |
| Total Employment | 102,000 | 57,000 | +45,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = New York, NY minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $15,000 more (median: $92,000 vs $77,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 187 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($49,198 vs $62,097 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.