Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Houston, TX vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in Houston, TX and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$38,000 vs $50,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$35,514 vs $26,738
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$32,815 vs $23,013
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $38,000 | $50,000▲ | -$12,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $29,260 | $38,500▲ | -$9,240 |
| 75th Percentile | $48,640 | $64,000▲ | -$15,360 |
| 90th Percentile | $60,800 | $80,000▲ | -$19,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 187 | -80 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $35,514▲ | $26,738 | +$8,776 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $35,112 | $43,035▲ | -$7,923 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $32,815▲ | $23,013 | +$9,802 |
| Total Employment | 70,000 | 170,000 | -100,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $12,000 more (median: $38,000 vs $50,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 187), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($35,514 vs $26,738 equivalent). Houston, 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.