Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Houston, TX vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians 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
$220,000 vs $250,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$205,607 vs $133,690
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$189,981 vs $115,068
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $220,000 | $250,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $165,000 | $188,000▲ | -$23,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $288,000 | $328,000▲ | -$40,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $358,000 | $408,000▲ | -$50,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 187 | -80 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $205,607▲ | $133,690 | +$71,917 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $203,280 | $215,177▲ | -$11,897 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $189,981▲ | $115,068 | +$74,913 |
| Total Employment | 14,000 | 22,000 | -8,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $30,000 more (median: $220,000 vs $250,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 187), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($205,607 vs $133,690 equivalent). Houston, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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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.