Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: Houston, TX vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists 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
$77,000 vs $101,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$71,963 vs $54,011
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$66,493 vs $46,487
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $77,000 | $101,000▲ | -$24,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,290 | $77,770▲ | -$18,480 |
| 75th Percentile | $98,560 | $129,280▲ | -$30,720 |
| 90th Percentile | $123,200 | $161,600▲ | -$38,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 187 | -80 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $71,963▲ | $54,011 | +$17,952 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $71,148 | $86,931▲ | -$15,783 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $66,493▲ | $46,487 | +$20,006 |
| Total Employment | 42,000 | 102,000 | -60,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $24,000 more (median: $77,000 vs $101,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 187), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($71,963 vs $54,011 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.