Database Administrator · Salary Comparison · 2026
Database Administrator Salary: Houston, TX vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Database Administrators 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
$90,000 vs $118,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$84,112 vs $63,102
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$77,720 vs $54,312
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $90,000 | $118,000▲ | -$28,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $69,300 | $90,860▲ | -$21,560 |
| 75th Percentile | $115,200 | $151,040▲ | -$35,840 |
| 90th Percentile | $144,000 | $188,800▲ | -$44,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 187 | -80 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $84,112▲ | $63,102 | +$21,010 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $83,160 | $101,563▲ | -$18,403 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $77,720▲ | $54,312 | +$23,408 |
| 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 $28,000 more (median: $90,000 vs $118,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 187), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($84,112 vs $63,102 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.