Salary Comparison

Frontend Developer Salary:
New York, NY vs Houston, TX

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

New York, NY
$190,526
/ year
+41%
difference
Houston, TX
$134,862
/ year
Bottom line: Houston offers better purchasing power despite New York paying more gross. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
New York
Houston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$190,526โœ“ higher
$134,862
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$123,212โœ“ higher
$87,215
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$294,615โœ“ higher
$208,540
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$127,379โœ“ higher
$92,109
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$131,397
$137,614โœ“ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.45ร—
0.98ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$123,212โœ“ higher
$87,215
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$294,615โœ“ higher
$208,540

What if you move from New York to Houston?

Gross salary change
$55,664
41% decrease
Take-home change
$35,270
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$6,217
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$190,526
P10: $123,212Median: $190,526P90: $294,615
Houston, TX$134,862
P10: $87,215Median: $134,862P90: $208,540

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a Frontend Developer earn more in New York or Houston?

The median Frontend Developer salary in New York, NY is $190,526/yr compared to $134,862/yr in Houston, TX. New York pays 41% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Frontend Developer salary worth more in New York or Houston after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your New York salary has the purchasing power of $131,397/yr in a median-cost city, vs $137,614/yr for Houston. Houston offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a Frontend Developer in New York vs Houston?

After estimated taxes, a Frontend Developer in New York, NY takes home approximately $127,379/yr, vs $92,109/yr in Houston, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.