Salary Comparison

Network Engineer Salary:
New York, NY vs Austin, TX

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

New York, NY
$130,161
/ year
+11%
difference
Austin, TX
$117,544
/ year
Bottom line: Austin offers better purchasing power despite New York paying more gross. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
New York
Austin
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$130,161โœ“ higher
$117,544
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$84,175โœ“ higher
$76,015
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$201,271โœ“ higher
$181,761
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$89,272โœ“ higher
$81,657
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$89,766
$104,950โœ“ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.45ร—
1.12ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$84,175โœ“ higher
$76,015
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$201,271โœ“ higher
$181,761

What if you move from New York to Austin?

Gross salary change
$12,617
11% decrease
Take-home change
$7,615
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$15,184
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$130,161
P10: $84,175Median: $130,161P90: $201,271
Austin, TX$117,544
P10: $76,015Median: $117,544P90: $181,761

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a Network Engineer earn more in New York or Austin?

The median Network Engineer salary in New York, NY is $130,161/yr compared to $117,544/yr in Austin, TX. New York pays 11% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Network Engineer salary worth more in New York or Austin after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your New York salary has the purchasing power of $89,766/yr in a median-cost city, vs $104,950/yr for Austin. Austin offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a Network Engineer in New York vs Austin?

After estimated taxes, a Network Engineer in New York, NY takes home approximately $89,272/yr, vs $81,657/yr in Austin, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.