Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: San Diego, CA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in San Diego, CA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$141,000 vs $163,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Diego, CA
$92,763 vs $87,166
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Diego, CA
$77,742 vs $75,024
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $141,000 | $163,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $108,570 | $125,510▲ | -$16,940 |
| 75th Percentile | $180,480 | $208,640▲ | -$28,160 |
| 90th Percentile | $225,600 | $260,800▲ | -$35,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 187 | -35 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 6.85%▲ | +2.450000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $92,763▲ | $87,166 | +$5,597 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $118,168 | $140,295▲ | -$22,127 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $77,742▲ | $75,024 | +$2,718 |
| Total Employment | 19,200 | 54,400 | -35,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $22,000 more (median: $141,000 vs $163,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 187), San Diego, CA provides better purchasing power ($92,763 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.