Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: New York, NY vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in New York, NY and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$163,000 vs $136,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$87,166 vs $109,677
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$75,024 vs $101,342
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | New York, NY | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $163,000▲ | $136,000 | +$27,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $125,510▲ | $104,720 | +$20,790 |
| 75th Percentile | $208,640▲ | $174,080 | +$34,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $260,800▲ | $217,600 | +$43,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 187 | 124 | +63 |
| State Income Tax | 6.85% | 0%▲ | +6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $87,166 | $109,677▲ | -$22,511 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $140,295▲ | $125,664 | +$14,631 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $75,024 | $101,342▲ | -$26,318 |
| Total Employment | 54,400 | 30,400 | +24,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = New York, NY minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $27,000 more (median: $163,000 vs $136,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 187 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($87,166 vs $109,677 equivalent). Austin, 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.