Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: Houston, TX vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in Houston, TX and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$124,000 vs $163,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$115,888 vs $87,166
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$107,080 vs $75,024
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $124,000 | $163,000▲ | -$39,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $95,480 | $125,510▲ | -$30,030 |
| 75th Percentile | $158,720 | $208,640▲ | -$49,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $198,400 | $260,800▲ | -$62,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 187 | -80 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $115,888▲ | $87,166 | +$28,722 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $114,576 | $140,295▲ | -$25,719 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $107,080▲ | $75,024 | +$32,056 |
| Total Employment | 22,400 | 54,400 | -32,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $39,000 more (median: $124,000 vs $163,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 187), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($115,888 vs $87,166 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.