Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: El Paso, TX vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in El Paso, TX and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$85,000 vs $163,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ El Paso, TX
$100,000 vs $87,166
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ El Paso, TX
$92,400 vs $75,024
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $85,000 | $163,000▲ | -$78,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $65,450 | $125,510▲ | -$60,060 |
| 75th Percentile | $108,800 | $208,640▲ | -$99,840 |
| 90th Percentile | $136,000 | $260,800▲ | -$124,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 187 | -102 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $100,000▲ | $87,166 | +$12,834 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $78,540 | $140,295▲ | -$61,755 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $92,400▲ | $75,024 | +$17,376 |
| Total Employment | 4,800 | 54,400 | -49,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $78,000 more (median: $85,000 vs $163,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 187), El Paso, TX provides better purchasing power ($100,000 vs $87,166 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.