Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: Houston, TX vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers 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
$47,000 vs $62,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$43,925 vs $33,155
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$40,587 vs $28,537
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $47,000 | $62,000▲ | -$15,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,190 | $47,740▲ | -$11,550 |
| 75th Percentile | $60,160 | $79,360▲ | -$19,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $75,200 | $99,200▲ | -$24,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 187 | -80 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $43,925▲ | $33,155 | +$10,770 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $43,428 | $53,364▲ | -$9,936 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $40,587▲ | $28,537 | +$12,050 |
| 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 $15,000 more (median: $47,000 vs $62,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 187), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($43,925 vs $33,155 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.