State Comparison

New York vs Texas

Side-by-side comparison of 16 financial metrics including taxes, housing costs, cost of living, wages, and insurance — powered by verified government data.

Overall Score

6
New York
NY
vs
of 16 metrics
10
Texas
TX

Cost of Living

Cost of Living Index
NY: 123.8
TX: 93.9
TX

Housing

Median Home Price
NY: $420,000
TX: $310,000
TX
Median 2BR Rent
NY: $1,640/mo
TX: $1,275/mo
TX
Closing Costs
NY: 3.80%
TX: 2.50%
TX
Transfer Tax Rate
NY: 0.40%
TX: 0.00%
TX

Taxes

Property Tax Rate
NY: 1.72%
TX: 1.80%
NY
Top Income Tax Rate
NY: 10.90%
TX: None
TX
Sales Tax Rate
NY: 4.00%
TX: 6.25%
NY
Capital Gains Tax Rate
NY: 10.90%
TX: None
TX

Income & Employment

Median Household Income
NY: $74,314
TX: $67,321
NY
Minimum Wage
NY: $16.50/hr
TX: $7.25/hr
NY
Max Unemployment Benefit
NY: $504/wk
TX: $521/wk
TX

Business

LLC Filing Fee
NY: $200
TX: $300
NY
LLC Annual Fee
NY: $25
TX: $0
TX

Insurance & Living

Avg Car Insurance
NY: $2,340/yr
TX: $2,150/yr
TX
Avg Home Insurance
NY: $1,640/yr
TX: $3,600/yr
NY

Key Takeaways

  • 1

    Texas leads in 10 of 16 financial metrics, making it the more favorable state overall.

  • 2

    Housing: Median home prices are $420,000 in New York vs $310,000 in Texas — a $110,000 difference.

  • 3

    Taxes: New York has a 10.9% top income tax rate while Texas has no income tax. Property tax rates are 1.72% vs 1.8%.

  • 4

    Cost of Living: New York's index is 123.8 and Texas's is 93.9 (national average = 100).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is New York or Texas more affordable?

Texas has a lower cost of living index (93.9) compared to New York (123.8), where 100 is the national average. However, affordability depends on your specific situation — compare housing, taxes, and income together for a complete picture.

Which state has lower taxes — New York or Texas?

Overall, Texas has a lower combined tax burden. New York has a 10.9% top income tax, 4% sales tax, and 1.72% property tax. Texas has no income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.8% property tax.

What are housing costs in New York vs Texas?

The median home price in New York is $420,000 compared to $310,000 in Texas. For renters, a 2-bedroom apartment averages $1,640/month in New York vs $1,275/month in Texas.

Which state is better for starting a business — New York or Texas?

LLC filing costs are $200 in New York vs $300 in Texas, with annual fees of $25 and $0 respectively. New York's 10.9% top tax rate compared to Texas's tax-free status may also factor into your decision.

Should I move from New York to Texas?

It depends on your priorities. Texas wins in 10 of 16 metrics we compared. Use our free calculators to model your specific financial scenario — including salary, property tax, and cost of living for each state.

Comparing New York and Texas

When deciding between living in New York or Texas, the financial picture goes beyond just one metric. This comparison analyzes 16 key financial indicators sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, Tax Foundation, HUD Fair Market Rent data, and Bureau of Labor Statistics to give you a comprehensive overview.

New York (NY) has a median household income of $74,314 with a cost of living index of 123.8. Texas (TX) has a median household income of $67,321 with a cost of living index of 93.9.

These numbers are estimates. Individual circumstances vary based on location within each state, family size, profession, and lifestyle. Use our free New York calculator or Texas calculator to model your specific financial scenario.

Data sources: Census Bureau ACS, Tax Foundation, HUD FMR, BLS. Last verified January 2026. Calculators provide estimates only — consult a qualified professional for financial advice.