Salary Comparison

Machine Learning Engineer Salary:
Austin, TX vs New York, NY

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

Austin, TX
$190,362
/ year
-24%
difference
New York, NY
$250,510
/ year
Bottom line: New York wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Austin
New York
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$190,362
$250,510✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$123,106
$162,004✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$294,361
$387,369✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$127,268
$167,591✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$169,966
$172,766✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.12×✓ lower
1.45×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$123,106
$162,004✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$294,361
$387,369✓ higher

What if you move from Austin to New York?

Gross salary change
+$60,148
24% increase
Take-home change
+$40,323
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$2,800
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 1.00×). Full methodology →

Salary Range Comparison

Austin, TX$190,362
P10: $123,106Median: $190,362P90: $294,361
New York, NY$250,510
P10: $162,004Median: $250,510P90: $387,369

More Machine Learning Engineer salary comparisons

Austin vs Los AngelesAustin vs ChicagoAustin vs HoustonAustin vs PhoenixAustin vs PhiladelphiaAustin vs San AntonioAll Machine Learning Engineer salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Machine Learning Engineer earn more in Austin or New York?

The median Machine Learning Engineer salary in Austin, TX is $190,362/yr compared to $250,510/yr in New York, NY. New York pays 24% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Machine Learning Engineer salary worth more in Austin or New York after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Austin salary has the purchasing power of $169,966/yr in a median-cost city, vs $172,766/yr for New York. New York offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Machine Learning Engineer in Austin vs New York?

After estimated taxes, a Machine Learning Engineer in Austin, TX takes home approximately $127,268/yr, vs $167,591/yr in New York, NY. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.