Salary Comparison

Security Engineer 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
$224,905
/ year
+43%
difference
Houston, TX
$157,797
/ year
Bottom line: Houston offers better purchasing power despite New York paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
New York
Houston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$224,905✓ higher
$157,797
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$145,445✓ higher
$102,047
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$347,776✓ higher
$244,005
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$150,757✓ higher
$105,950
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$155,107
$161,017✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.45×
0.98×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$145,445✓ higher
$102,047
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$347,776✓ higher
$244,005

What if you move from New York to Houston?

Gross salary change
$67,108
43% decrease
Take-home change
$44,807
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$5,910
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

New York, NY$224,905
P10: $145,445Median: $224,905P90: $347,776
Houston, TX$157,797
P10: $102,047Median: $157,797P90: $244,005

More Security Engineer salary comparisons

New York vs Los AngelesNew York vs ChicagoNew York vs PhoenixNew York vs PhiladelphiaNew York vs San AntonioNew York vs San DiegoAll Security Engineer salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Security Engineer earn more in New York or Houston?

The median Security Engineer salary in New York, NY is $224,905/yr compared to $157,797/yr in Houston, TX. New York pays 43% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Security Engineer 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 $155,107/yr in a median-cost city, vs $161,017/yr for Houston. Houston offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Security Engineer in New York vs Houston?

After estimated taxes, a Security Engineer in New York, NY takes home approximately $150,757/yr, vs $105,950/yr in Houston, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.