Salary Comparison

Data Engineer Salary:
New York, NY vs San Antonio, TX

Side-by-side gross salary, after-tax take-home pay, and purchasing power comparison. Updated June 2026.

New York, NY
$198,846
/ year
+60%
difference
San Antonio, TX
$124,350
/ year
Bottom line: San Antonio offers better purchasing power despite New York paying more gross. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
New York
San Antonio
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$198,846โœ“ higher
$124,350
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$128,593โœ“ higher
$80,417
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$307,480โœ“ higher
$192,285
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$133,037โœ“ higher
$85,765
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$137,135
$141,307โœ“ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.45ร—
0.88ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$128,593โœ“ higher
$80,417
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$307,480โœ“ higher
$192,285

What if you move from New York to San Antonio?

Gross salary change
$74,496
60% decrease
Take-home change
$47,272
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$4,172
equivalent real income

Take-home pay is estimated using 2024 US federal tax brackets (single filer) + 7.65% FICA, or a blended international effective rate. Purchasing power converts gross salary to an equivalent in a US median cost-of-living city (index 1.00ร—). Full methodology โ†’

Salary Range Comparison

New York, NY$198,846
P10: $128,593Median: $198,846P90: $307,480
San Antonio, TX$124,350
P10: $80,417Median: $124,350P90: $192,285

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a Data Engineer earn more in New York or San Antonio?

The median Data Engineer salary in New York, NY is $198,846/yr compared to $124,350/yr in San Antonio, TX. New York pays 60% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Data Engineer salary worth more in New York or San Antonio after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your New York salary has the purchasing power of $137,135/yr in a median-cost city, vs $141,307/yr for San Antonio. San Antonio offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a Data Engineer in New York vs San Antonio?

After estimated taxes, a Data Engineer in New York, NY takes home approximately $133,037/yr, vs $85,765/yr in San Antonio, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.