Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: Indianapolis, IN vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in Indianapolis, IN and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$40,000 vs $62,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$44,444 vs $33,155
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$39,773 vs $28,537
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $40,000 | $62,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,800 | $47,740▲ | -$16,940 |
| 75th Percentile | $51,200 | $79,360▲ | -$28,160 |
| 90th Percentile | $64,000 | $99,200▲ | -$35,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 187 | -97 |
| State Income Tax | 3.15%▲ | 6.85% | -3.6999999999999997% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $44,444▲ | $33,155 | +$11,289 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $35,796 | $53,364▲ | -$17,568 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $39,773▲ | $28,537 | +$11,236 |
| Total Employment | 37,500 | 170,000 | -132,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Indianapolis, IN minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $22,000 more (median: $40,000 vs $62,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 187), Indianapolis, IN provides better purchasing power ($44,444 vs $33,155 equivalent). Indianapolis, IN has the lower state tax rate (3.15% vs 6.85%).
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.