Quick answer
Texas has lower average 1BR rent ($1,327/mo vs $1,783/mo). State income tax: Texas (None) vs New York (Up to 10.9%) — on a $120K salary that's $13,080/year difference.
State Comparison · 2026
New York vs Texas
Side-by-side on state income tax, rent, home prices, climate, and top metros — with specific dollar numbers for every claim.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
New York vs Texas at a Glance
| Metric | New York | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg 1BR rent (major metros) | $1,783 | $1,327 ✓ |
| Avg median home price | $387K | $379K ✓ |
| Cheapest city | Rochester ($1,050) ✓ | El Paso ($1,050) |
| Priciest city | New York ($3,200) | Austin ($1,650) |
| State income tax | Up to 10.9% | None ✓ |
| Avg walkability | 72/100 ✓ | 45/100 |
| Cities tracked | 3 | 7 |
✓ marks the lower or more favorable value. Averages use the major metros we track in each state.
State Income Tax: Real Savings
What the rate gap actually looks like in your paycheck. Lower rate: Texas (None).
Salary $80K
$8,720
/year saved in Texas
Salary $120K
$13,080
/year saved in Texas
Salary $200K
$21,800
/year saved in Texas
Calculation uses the effective state rate difference × gross salary. Doesn't include property tax, sales tax, or federal impact.
Deep Dive: Each State
New York (NY)
Tax reality
New York state income tax tops out at 10.9% for income over $25M. In NYC, add another 3.876% city tax — so total state+local tops 14.8% for high earners. The infamous "convenience rule" means your employer being in NY can make you owe NY tax even if you moved out of state.
Top cities (3 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Rent absorbs 40-60% of take-home for most NYC residents. Roommates are not an embarrassment — they're the norm well into your 30s for many professions.
- ✕The convenience rule — if your W-2 employer is in NY and you live elsewhere, NY often still taxes you. Consult a CPA before moving if your W-2 says NY.
- ✕Winters are genuinely cold and long. Mid-November through mid-March regularly sees subfreezing temps, salt slush, and 2-4 real snowstorms per year.
Texas (TX)
Tax reality
Texas has no state income tax — on $100K that's roughly $5,000-$9,000/year you keep vs California. The catch: Texas property tax averages 1.6-2.3% annually, among the highest in the US. For renters, it's a pure win. For homeowners, a $450K home costs you $7,200-$10,300/year in property tax.
Top cities (7 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Summer heat is genuinely dangerous — 100°F+ days stretch from June through September, and the grid has failed multiple times (Uri 2021, summer 2023). Outdoor time is limited to early morning or after sundown.
- ✕Property taxes are the trade-off for no income tax. On a $450K home you'll pay $7,500-$10,500/year in property taxes — the highest in the country alongside New Jersey and Illinois.
- ✕Car dependency is near-total outside a few Austin and Houston neighborhoods. You will drive everywhere, including to the grocery store. Expect $400-$600/mo in all-in car costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New York or Texas cheaper to live in?
Texas has lower average 1BR rent across major metros — $1,327/mo vs $1,783/mo in New York, a $456/mo difference. Home prices: Texas median is $379K vs $387K.
New York vs Texas: which has lower state income tax?
Texas has lower state income tax (None) vs Up to 10.9% in New York. On an $80K salary that's $8,720/year in savings. On $200K, savings grow to $21,800/year.
Should I move from New York to Texas?
New York state income tax tops out at 10.9% for income over $25M. In NYC, add another 3.876% city tax — so total state+local tops 14.8% for high earners. The infamous "convenience rule" means your employer being in NY can make you owe NY tax even if you moved out of state.
What are the best cities in New York vs Texas?
New York's largest metros include New York, Buffalo, Rochester. Texas's largest metros include Austin, Houston, Dallas. Cost of living varies significantly within each state — a New York suburb can be 40% cheaper than its flagship city, and vice versa.