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