Dental Hygienist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Dental Hygienist Salary: Houston, TX vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Dental Hygienists 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
$58,000 vs $76,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$54,206 vs $40,642
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$50,086 vs $34,981
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $58,000 | $76,000▲ | -$18,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,660 | $58,520▲ | -$13,860 |
| 75th Percentile | $74,240 | $97,280▲ | -$23,040 |
| 90th Percentile | $92,800 | $121,600▲ | -$28,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 187 | -80 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $54,206▲ | $40,642 | +$13,564 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $53,592 | $65,414▲ | -$11,822 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $50,086▲ | $34,981 | +$15,105 |
| Total Employment | 70,000 | 170,000 | -100,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $18,000 more (median: $58,000 vs $76,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 187), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($54,206 vs $40,642 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.