Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: Austin, TX vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists 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
$84,000 vs $101,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$67,742 vs $54,011
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$62,594 vs $46,487
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $84,000 | $101,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,680 | $77,770▲ | -$13,090 |
| 75th Percentile | $107,520 | $129,280▲ | -$21,760 |
| 90th Percentile | $134,400 | $161,600▲ | -$27,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 187 | -63 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $67,742▲ | $54,011 | +$13,731 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $77,616 | $86,931▲ | -$9,315 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $62,594▲ | $46,487 | +$16,107 |
| 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 $17,000 more (median: $84,000 vs $101,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 187), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($67,742 vs $54,011 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.