Network Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Network Engineer Salary: Austin, TX vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Network Engineers in Austin, TX 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 $114,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$76,613 vs $60,963
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$70,790 vs $52,471
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $95,000 | $114,000▲ | -$19,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,150 | $87,780▲ | -$14,630 |
| 75th Percentile | $121,600 | $145,920▲ | -$24,320 |
| 90th Percentile | $152,000 | $182,400▲ | -$30,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 187 | -63 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $76,613▲ | $60,963 | +$15,650 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $87,780 | $98,120▲ | -$10,340 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $70,790▲ | $52,471 | +$18,319 |
| Total Employment | 57,000 | 102,000 | -45,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $19,000 more (median: $95,000 vs $114,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 187), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($76,613 vs $60,963 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.