Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: Oklahoma City, OK vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in Oklahoma City, OK and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$95,000 vs $163,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Oklahoma City, OK
$110,465 vs $87,166
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Oklahoma City, OK
$97,221 vs $75,024
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $95,000 | $163,000▲ | -$68,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,150 | $125,510▲ | -$52,360 |
| 75th Percentile | $121,600 | $208,640▲ | -$87,040 |
| 90th Percentile | $152,000 | $260,800▲ | -$108,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 86 | 187 | -101 |
| State Income Tax | 4.75%▲ | 6.85% | -2.0999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $110,465▲ | $87,166 | +$23,299 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $83,610 | $140,295▲ | -$56,685 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $97,221▲ | $75,024 | +$22,197 |
| Total Employment | 7,200 | 54,400 | -47,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Oklahoma City, OK minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $68,000 more (median: $95,000 vs $163,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 86 vs 187), Oklahoma City, OK provides better purchasing power ($110,465 vs $87,166 equivalent). Oklahoma City, OK has the lower state tax rate (4.75% 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.