Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: Austin, TX vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in Austin, TX and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$52,000 vs $62,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$41,935 vs $33,155
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$38,748 vs $28,537
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $52,000 | $62,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $40,040 | $47,740▲ | -$7,700 |
| 75th Percentile | $66,560 | $79,360▲ | -$12,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $83,200 | $99,200▲ | -$16,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 187 | -63 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $41,935▲ | $33,155 | +$8,780 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $48,048 | $53,364▲ | -$5,316 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $38,748▲ | $28,537 | +$10,211 |
| Total Employment | 95,000 | 170,000 | -75,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $10,000 more (median: $52,000 vs $62,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 187), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($41,935 vs $33,155 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.