Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: Detroit, MI vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in Detroit, MI and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$105,000 vs $163,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Detroit, MI
$117,978 vs $87,166
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Detroit, MI
$104,379 vs $75,024
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Detroit, MI | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $105,000 | $163,000▲ | -$58,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,850 | $125,510▲ | -$44,660 |
| 75th Percentile | $134,400 | $208,640▲ | -$74,240 |
| 90th Percentile | $168,000 | $260,800▲ | -$92,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 89 | 187 | -98 |
| State Income Tax | 4.25%▲ | 6.85% | -2.5999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $117,978▲ | $87,166 | +$30,812 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $92,897 | $140,295▲ | -$47,398 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $104,379▲ | $75,024 | +$29,355 |
| Total Employment | 12,000 | 54,400 | -42,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Detroit, MI minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $58,000 more (median: $105,000 vs $163,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 89 vs 187), Detroit, MI provides better purchasing power ($117,978 vs $87,166 equivalent). Detroit, MI has the lower state tax rate (4.25% 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.