Salary Comparison

Systems Administrator 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
$108,672
/ year
+11%
difference
Austin, TX
$98,321
/ 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
$108,672โœ“ higher
$98,321
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$70,278โœ“ higher
$63,584
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$168,042โœ“ higher
$152,036
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$76,303โœ“ higher
$70,056
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$74,946
$87,787โœ“ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.45ร—
1.12ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$70,278โœ“ higher
$63,584
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$168,042โœ“ higher
$152,036

What if you move from New York to Austin?

Gross salary change
$10,351
11% decrease
Take-home change
$6,247
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$12,841
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$108,672
P10: $70,278Median: $108,672P90: $168,042
Austin, TX$98,321
P10: $63,584Median: $98,321P90: $152,036

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a Systems Administrator earn more in New York or Austin?

The median Systems Administrator salary in New York, NY is $108,672/yr compared to $98,321/yr in Austin, TX. New York pays 11% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Systems Administrator 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 $74,946/yr in a median-cost city, vs $87,787/yr for Austin. Austin offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Systems Administrator in New York, NY takes home approximately $76,303/yr, vs $70,056/yr in Austin, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.