Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: Austin, TX vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in Austin, TX and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$136,000 vs $163,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$109,677 vs $87,166
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$101,342 vs $75,024
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $136,000 | $163,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $104,720 | $125,510▲ | -$20,790 |
| 75th Percentile | $174,080 | $208,640▲ | -$34,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $217,600 | $260,800▲ | -$43,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 187 | -63 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $109,677▲ | $87,166 | +$22,511 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $125,664 | $140,295▲ | -$14,631 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $101,342▲ | $75,024 | +$26,318 |
| Total Employment | 30,400 | 54,400 | -24,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $27,000 more (median: $136,000 vs $163,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 187), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($109,677 vs $87,166 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.