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