Project Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Project Manager Salary: Austin, TX vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Project Managers 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
$101,000 vs $121,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$81,452 vs $64,706
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$75,261 vs $55,693
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $101,000 | $121,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $77,770 | $93,170▲ | -$15,400 |
| 75th Percentile | $129,280 | $154,880▲ | -$25,600 |
| 90th Percentile | $161,600 | $193,600▲ | -$32,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 187 | -63 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $81,452▲ | $64,706 | +$16,746 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $93,324 | $104,145▲ | -$10,821 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $75,261▲ | $55,693 | +$19,568 |
| Total Employment | 30,400 | 54,400 | -24,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $20,000 more (median: $101,000 vs $121,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 187), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($81,452 vs $64,706 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.