Database Administrator · Salary Comparison · 2026
Database Administrator Salary: New York, NY vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Database Administrators 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
$118,000 vs $98,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$63,102 vs $79,032
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$54,312 vs $73,026
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | New York, NY | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $118,000▲ | $98,000 | +$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $90,860▲ | $75,460 | +$15,400 |
| 75th Percentile | $151,040▲ | $125,440 | +$25,600 |
| 90th Percentile | $188,800▲ | $156,800 | +$32,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 187 | 124 | +63 |
| State Income Tax | 6.85% | 0%▲ | +6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $63,102 | $79,032▲ | -$15,930 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $101,563▲ | $90,552 | +$11,011 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $54,312 | $73,026▲ | -$18,714 |
| 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 $20,000 more (median: $118,000 vs $98,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 187 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($63,102 vs $79,032 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.