Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: Columbus, OH vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in Columbus, OH and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$109,000 vs $163,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Columbus, OH
$119,780 vs $87,166
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Columbus, OH
$106,260 vs $75,024
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Columbus, OH | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $109,000 | $163,000▲ | -$54,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $83,930 | $125,510▲ | -$41,580 |
| 75th Percentile | $139,520 | $208,640▲ | -$69,120 |
| 90th Percentile | $174,400 | $260,800▲ | -$86,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 187 | -96 |
| State Income Tax | 3.99%▲ | 6.85% | -2.8599999999999994% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $119,780▲ | $87,166 | +$32,614 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $96,697 | $140,295▲ | -$43,598 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $106,260▲ | $75,024 | +$31,236 |
| Total Employment | 12,800 | 54,400 | -41,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Columbus, OH minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $54,000 more (median: $109,000 vs $163,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 91 vs 187), Columbus, OH provides better purchasing power ($119,780 vs $87,166 equivalent). Columbus, OH has the lower state tax rate (3.99% vs 6.85%).
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.