Paralegal · Salary Comparison · 2026
Paralegal Salary: Austin, TX vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Paralegals 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
$53,000 vs $64,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$42,742 vs $34,225
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$39,494 vs $29,457
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $53,000 | $64,000▲ | -$11,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $40,810 | $49,280▲ | -$8,470 |
| 75th Percentile | $67,840 | $81,920▲ | -$14,080 |
| 90th Percentile | $84,800 | $102,400▲ | -$17,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 187 | -63 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $42,742▲ | $34,225 | +$8,517 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $48,972 | $55,085▲ | -$6,113 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $39,494▲ | $29,457 | +$10,037 |
| Total Employment | 95,000 | 170,000 | -75,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $11,000 more (median: $53,000 vs $64,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 187), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($42,742 vs $34,225 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.