Salary Comparison

Systems Administrator 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
$130,768
/ year
+48%
difference
Houston, TX
$88,608
/ 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
$130,768✓ higher
$88,608
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$84,567✓ higher
$57,302
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$202,210✓ higher
$137,017
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$89,638✓ higher
$64,194
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$90,185
$90,416✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.45×
0.98×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$84,567✓ higher
$57,302
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$202,210✓ higher
$137,017

What if you move from New York to Houston?

Gross salary change
$42,160
48% decrease
Take-home change
$25,444
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$231
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$130,768
P10: $84,567Median: $130,768P90: $202,210
Houston, TX$88,608
P10: $57,302Median: $88,608P90: $137,017

More Systems Administrator salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Systems Administrator earn more in New York or Houston?

The median Systems Administrator salary in New York, NY is $130,768/yr compared to $88,608/yr in Houston, TX. New York pays 48% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Systems Administrator 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 $90,185/yr in a median-cost city, vs $90,416/yr for Houston. Houston offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Systems Administrator in New York, NY takes home approximately $89,638/yr, vs $64,194/yr in Houston, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.