Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: El Paso, TX vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in El Paso, TX and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$85,000 vs $136,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$100,000 vs $109,677
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$92,400 vs $101,342
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $85,000 | $136,000▲ | -$51,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $65,450 | $104,720▲ | -$39,270 |
| 75th Percentile | $108,800 | $174,080▲ | -$65,280 |
| 90th Percentile | $136,000 | $217,600▲ | -$81,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 124 | -39 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $100,000 | $109,677▲ | -$9,677 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $78,540 | $125,664▲ | -$47,124 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $92,400 | $101,342▲ | -$8,942 |
| Total Employment | 4,800 | 30,400 | -25,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $51,000 more (median: $85,000 vs $136,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($100,000 vs $109,677 equivalent). El Paso, 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.