New York vs Texas
A side-by-side comparison of New York and Texas — taxes, housing, income, and cost of living — with a salary-equivalence calculator for anyone considering the move.
Take-home pay on $100,000
New York
$74,320/yr take-home
$6,193/mo · 25.7% effective tax
- Federal tax
- $13,170
- State tax (3.9%–10.9%)
- $4,860
- FICA
- $7,650
Texas
$79,180/yr take-home
$6,598/mo · 20.8% effective tax
- Federal tax
- $13,170
- State tax (None)
- $0
- FICA
- $7,650
You keep $4,860 more per year in Texas ($405/mo) from income tax alone — before housing and other costs, below.
The numbers
Monthly cost of living · renting
Salary equivalence
$100,000 in New York buys the same lifestyle as $82,456 in Texas
For a household of 1 adult, renting. Texas's cost of living is 89.9% of New York's, and the figure accounts for both states' income taxes. Home price is an asset; this compares monthly living cost. An estimate, not financial advice.
New York vs Texas: what the numbers say
Thinking about moving from New York to Texas? Here's how the two states line up on the numbers that shape your budget. The headline difference is tax: Texas has no state income tax, while New York charges 3.9%–10.9%. Moving from New York to Texas can noticeably raise your take-home pay.
Housing is usually the biggest factor. A typical home costs $517,805 in New York versus $302,550 in Texas — Texas is cheaper by about $215,255. Overall cost of living runs $3,993 a month in New York and $3,591 in Texas for a single adult, and the typical household earns $85,820 versus $79,721.
Because prices differ, the same paycheck stretches differently: Texas's cost of living is about 89.9% of New York's. Use the calculator above to see exactly what your New York salary would need to be in Texas to keep the same lifestyle, taxes included.
Income matters too, not just costs. The typical household earns $85,820 in New York versus $79,721 in Texas, so a state that looks pricier on paper can still come out ahead if local pay is higher. That's why the salary-equivalence figure — which folds in both taxes and cost of living — is a better guide for a move than any single cost-of-living index on its own.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in New York or Texas?
- Texas has the lower typical monthly cost of living for a single adult. The table above breaks down housing, taxes, and more, and the calculator shows the salary equivalence between the two.
- What salary do I need in Texas to match New York?
- It depends on your current salary and filing status. Enter them in the calculator above to see the Texas salary that preserves your New York purchasing power after taxes and cost-of-living differences.
Explore further
Dig into either state on its own, or compare a different pair.
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