City Comparison · 2026
New York City vs Austin
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in New York City = $60k in Austin
Metric
New York City
Austin
COL Index
2.13
✓1.28
1BR Monthly Rent
$3,500/mo
✓$1,800/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
$4,500/mo
✓$2,300/mo
State Income Tax
NY
TX
$100k Take-Home
$73,522
✓$78,736
$100k Effective Rate
26.48%
✓21.26%
$100k Savings Potential
$31,522
✓$57,136
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | New York City NY | Austin TX |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $47,420 $3,952/mo · 20.97% eff. | $50,248 $4,187/mo · 16.25% eff. |
| $100,000 | $73,522 $6,127/mo · 26.48% eff. | $78,736 $6,561/mo · 21.26% eff. |
| $150,000 | $104,939 $8,745/mo · 30.04% eff. | $113,278 $9,440/mo · 24.48% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New York City or Austin cheaper to live in?
New York City has a cost-of-living index of 2.13 while Austin is 1.28 (1.00 = US average). Austin is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in New York City is $3,500/month vs $1,800/month in Austin.
How much more do you need to earn in New York City vs Austin?
$100k in New York City = $60k in Austin. Cost of living in Austin is lower by 39.9%.
Which city has better after-tax income — New York City or Austin?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $73,522 in NY (New York City) and $78,736 in TX (Austin). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $31,522 in New York City vs $57,136 in Austin.
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