Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: New York, NY vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in New York, NY and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$101,000 vs $84,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$54,011 vs $67,742
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$46,487 vs $62,594
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | New York, NY | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $101,000▲ | $84,000 | +$17,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $77,770▲ | $64,680 | +$13,090 |
| 75th Percentile | $129,280▲ | $107,520 | +$21,760 |
| 90th Percentile | $161,600▲ | $134,400 | +$27,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 187 | 124 | +63 |
| State Income Tax | 6.85% | 0%▲ | +6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $54,011 | $67,742▲ | -$13,731 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $86,931▲ | $77,616 | +$9,315 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $46,487 | $62,594▲ | -$16,107 |
| Total Employment | 102,000 | 57,000 | +45,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = New York, NY minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $17,000 more (median: $101,000 vs $84,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 187 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($54,011 vs $67,742 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.