Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: Indianapolis, IN vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in Indianapolis, IN 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
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$116,667 vs $87,166
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$104,404 vs $75,024
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | 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 | 90 | 187 | -97 |
| State Income Tax | 3.15%▲ | 6.85% | -3.6999999999999997% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $116,667▲ | $87,166 | +$29,501 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $93,964 | $140,295▲ | -$46,331 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $104,404▲ | $75,024 | +$29,380 |
| Total Employment | 12,000 | 54,400 | -42,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Indianapolis, IN 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 90 vs 187), Indianapolis, IN provides better purchasing power ($116,667 vs $87,166 equivalent). Indianapolis, IN has the lower state tax rate (3.15% 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.