Network Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Network Engineer Salary: Detroit, MI vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Network Engineers in Detroit, MI and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$73,000 vs $114,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Detroit, MI
$82,022 vs $60,963
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Detroit, MI
$72,567 vs $52,471
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Detroit, MI | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $73,000 | $114,000▲ | -$41,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $56,210 | $87,780▲ | -$31,570 |
| 75th Percentile | $93,440 | $145,920▲ | -$52,480 |
| 90th Percentile | $116,800 | $182,400▲ | -$65,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 89 | 187 | -98 |
| State Income Tax | 4.25%▲ | 6.85% | -2.5999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $82,022▲ | $60,963 | +$21,059 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $64,585 | $98,120▲ | -$33,535 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $72,567▲ | $52,471 | +$20,096 |
| Total Employment | 22,500 | 102,000 | -79,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Detroit, MI minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $41,000 more (median: $73,000 vs $114,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 89 vs 187), Detroit, MI provides better purchasing power ($82,022 vs $60,963 equivalent). Detroit, MI has the lower state tax rate (4.25% 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.