Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: Dallas, TX vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in Dallas, TX and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$128,000 vs $163,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Dallas, TX
$114,286 vs $87,166
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Dallas, TX
$105,600 vs $75,024
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Dallas, TX | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $128,000 | $163,000▲ | -$35,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $98,560 | $125,510▲ | -$26,950 |
| 75th Percentile | $163,840 | $208,640▲ | -$44,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $204,800 | $260,800▲ | -$56,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 187 | -75 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $114,286▲ | $87,166 | +$27,120 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $118,272 | $140,295▲ | -$22,023 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $105,600▲ | $75,024 | +$30,576 |
| Total Employment | 28,000 | 54,400 | -26,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Dallas, TX minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $35,000 more (median: $128,000 vs $163,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 187), Dallas, TX provides better purchasing power ($114,286 vs $87,166 equivalent). Dallas, 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.