HVAC Technician · Salary Comparison · 2026
HVAC Technician Salary: Detroit, MI vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for HVAC Technicians in Detroit, MI and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$49,000 vs $76,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Detroit, MI
$55,056 vs $40,642
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Detroit, MI
$48,710 vs $34,981
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Detroit, MI | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $49,000 | $76,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $37,730 | $58,520▲ | -$20,790 |
| 75th Percentile | $62,720 | $97,280▲ | -$34,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $78,400 | $121,600▲ | -$43,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 89 | 187 | -98 |
| State Income Tax | 4.25%▲ | 6.85% | -2.5999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $55,056▲ | $40,642 | +$14,414 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $43,352 | $65,414▲ | -$22,062 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $48,710▲ | $34,981 | +$13,729 |
| Total Employment | 37,500 | 170,000 | -132,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Detroit, MI minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $27,000 more (median: $49,000 vs $76,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 89 vs 187), Detroit, MI provides better purchasing power ($55,056 vs $40,642 equivalent). Detroit, MI has the lower state tax rate (4.25% 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.