Lawyer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Lawyer Salary: New York, NY vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Lawyers 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
$210,000 vs $142,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$112,299 vs $114,516
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$96,657 vs $105,813
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | New York, NY | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $210,000▲ | $142,000 | +$68,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $148,000▲ | $99,000 | +$49,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $285,000▲ | $192,000 | +$93,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $378,000▲ | $255,000 | +$123,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 187 | 124 | +63 |
| State Income Tax | 6.85% | 0%▲ | +6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $112,299 | $114,516▲ | -$2,217 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $180,748▲ | $131,208 | +$49,540 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $96,657 | $105,813▲ | -$9,156 |
| Total Employment | 28,000 | 5,000 | +23,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = New York, NY minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $68,000 more (median: $210,000 vs $142,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 187 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($112,299 vs $114,516 equivalent). Austin, 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.