Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: Houston, TX vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in Houston, TX and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$124,000 vs $136,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$115,888 vs $109,677
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$107,080 vs $101,342
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $124,000 | $136,000▲ | -$12,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $95,480 | $104,720▲ | -$9,240 |
| 75th Percentile | $158,720 | $174,080▲ | -$15,360 |
| 90th Percentile | $198,400 | $217,600▲ | -$19,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 124 | -17 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $115,888▲ | $109,677 | +$6,211 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $114,576 | $125,664▲ | -$11,088 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $107,080▲ | $101,342 | +$5,738 |
| Total Employment | 22,400 | 30,400 | -8,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $12,000 more (median: $124,000 vs $136,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 124), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($115,888 vs $109,677 equivalent). Houston, 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.