Lawyer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Lawyer Salary: Houston, TX vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Lawyers in Houston, TX and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$145,000 vs $210,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$135,514 vs $112,299
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$125,215 vs $96,657
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $145,000 | $210,000▲ | -$65,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $102,000 | $148,000▲ | -$46,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $197,000 | $285,000▲ | -$88,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $260,000 | $378,000▲ | -$118,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 187 | -80 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $135,514▲ | $112,299 | +$23,215 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $133,980 | $180,748▲ | -$46,768 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $125,215▲ | $96,657 | +$28,558 |
| Total Employment | 10,000 | 28,000 | -18,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $65,000 more (median: $145,000 vs $210,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 187), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($135,514 vs $112,299 equivalent). Houston, 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.