Software Developer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Software Developer Salary: El Paso, TX vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Software Developers in El Paso, TX and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$88,000 vs $168,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ El Paso, TX
$103,529 vs $89,840
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ El Paso, TX
$95,661 vs $77,326
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $88,000 | $168,000▲ | -$80,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $66,000 | $128,000▲ | -$62,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $113,000 | $215,000▲ | -$102,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $142,000 | $265,000▲ | -$123,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 187 | -102 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $103,529▲ | $89,840 | +$13,689 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $81,312 | $144,599▲ | -$63,287 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $95,661▲ | $77,326 | +$18,335 |
| Total Employment | 6,000 | 68,000 | -62,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $80,000 more (median: $88,000 vs $168,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 187), El Paso, TX provides better purchasing power ($103,529 vs $89,840 equivalent). El Paso, 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.