Salary Comparison

Program Manager 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
$211,610
/ year
+50%
difference
Houston, TX
$140,957
/ year
Bottom line: New York wins on all three metrics โ€” higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
New York
Houston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$211,610โœ“ higher
$140,957
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$136,847โœ“ higher
$91,156
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$327,217โœ“ higher
$217,965
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$141,716โœ“ higher
$95,787
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$145,938โœ“ higher
$143,834
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.45ร—
0.98ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$136,847โœ“ higher
$91,156
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$327,217โœ“ higher
$217,965

What if you move from New York to Houston?

Gross salary change
$70,653
50% decrease
Take-home change
$45,929
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$2,104
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$211,610
P10: $136,847Median: $211,610P90: $327,217
Houston, TX$140,957
P10: $91,156Median: $140,957P90: $217,965

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a Program Manager earn more in New York or Houston?

The median Program Manager salary in New York, NY is $211,610/yr compared to $140,957/yr in Houston, TX. New York pays 50% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Program Manager 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 $145,938/yr in a median-cost city, vs $143,834/yr for Houston. New York offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Program Manager in New York, NY takes home approximately $141,716/yr, vs $95,787/yr in Houston, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.