Operations Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Operations Manager Salary: Houston, TX vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Operations Managers 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
$100,000 vs $131,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$93,458 vs $70,053
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$86,355 vs $60,295
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $100,000 | $131,000▲ | -$31,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $77,000 | $100,870▲ | -$23,870 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,000 | $167,680▲ | -$39,680 |
| 90th Percentile | $160,000 | $209,600▲ | -$49,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 187 | -80 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $93,458▲ | $70,053 | +$23,405 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $92,400 | $112,752▲ | -$20,352 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $86,355▲ | $60,295 | +$26,060 |
| Total Employment | 22,400 | 54,400 | -32,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $31,000 more (median: $100,000 vs $131,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 187), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($93,458 vs $70,053 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.