HVAC Technician · Salary Comparison · 2026
HVAC Technician Salary: Austin, TX vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for HVAC Technicians 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
$63,000 vs $76,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$50,806 vs $40,642
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$46,945 vs $34,981
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $63,000 | $76,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,510 | $58,520▲ | -$10,010 |
| 75th Percentile | $80,640 | $97,280▲ | -$16,640 |
| 90th Percentile | $100,800 | $121,600▲ | -$20,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 187 | -63 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $50,806▲ | $40,642 | +$10,164 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $58,212 | $65,414▲ | -$7,202 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $46,945▲ | $34,981 | +$11,964 |
| 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 $13,000 more (median: $63,000 vs $76,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 187), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($50,806 vs $40,642 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.