Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in Los Angeles, CA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$146,000 vs $163,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ New York, NY
$84,393 vs $87,166
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ New York, NY
$70,727 vs $75,024
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $146,000 | $163,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $112,420 | $125,510▲ | -$13,090 |
| 75th Percentile | $186,880 | $208,640▲ | -$21,760 |
| 90th Percentile | $233,600 | $260,800▲ | -$27,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 187 | -14 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 6.85%▲ | +2.450000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $84,393 | $87,166▲ | -$2,773 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $122,358 | $140,295▲ | -$17,937 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $70,727 | $75,024▲ | -$4,297 |
| Total Employment | 38,400 | 54,400 | -16,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $17,000 more (median: $146,000 vs $163,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 187), New York, NY provides better purchasing power ($84,393 vs $87,166 equivalent). New York, NY has the lower state tax rate (6.85% vs 9.3%).
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.