Lawyer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Lawyer Salary: El Paso, TX vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Lawyers in El Paso, TX and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$90,000 vs $210,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ New York, NY
$105,882 vs $112,299
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ El Paso, TX
$97,835 vs $96,657
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $90,000 | $210,000▲ | -$120,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $63,000 | $148,000▲ | -$85,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $122,000 | $285,000▲ | -$163,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $162,000 | $378,000▲ | -$216,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 187 | -102 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $105,882 | $112,299▲ | -$6,417 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $83,160 | $180,748▲ | -$97,588 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $97,835▲ | $96,657 | +$1,178 |
| Total Employment | 2,000 | 28,000 | -26,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $120,000 more (median: $90,000 vs $210,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 187), New York, NY provides better purchasing power ($105,882 vs $112,299 equivalent). El Paso, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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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.