Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: Oklahoma City, OK vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in Oklahoma City, OK and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$36,000 vs $62,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Oklahoma City, OK
$41,860 vs $33,155
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Oklahoma City, OK
$36,842 vs $28,537
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $36,000 | $62,000▲ | -$26,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $27,720 | $47,740▲ | -$20,020 |
| 75th Percentile | $46,080 | $79,360▲ | -$33,280 |
| 90th Percentile | $57,600 | $99,200▲ | -$41,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 86 | 187 | -101 |
| State Income Tax | 4.75%▲ | 6.85% | -2.0999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $41,860▲ | $33,155 | +$8,705 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $31,684 | $53,364▲ | -$21,680 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $36,842▲ | $28,537 | +$8,305 |
| Total Employment | 22,500 | 170,000 | -147,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Oklahoma City, OK minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $26,000 more (median: $36,000 vs $62,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 86 vs 187), Oklahoma City, OK provides better purchasing power ($41,860 vs $33,155 equivalent). Oklahoma City, OK has the lower state tax rate (4.75% 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.