Labor Economics Arbitrage & Career Benchmarks

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ vs. Eagle Pass, TX

Empirical side-by-side analysis of regional cost of living, HUD fair market rents, statutory tax burdens, and occupational compensation spread.

Curated Head-to-Head Matchups
NY Market

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ

Cost of Living Index: 181.0 · Graduated Brackets
All-Occupation Median (BLS) $61,430
HUD 1BR Rent$2,729/mo
Est. Take-Home$46,873/yr
Top State Tax Rate10.90%
Local Income Tax3.88%
Explore New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ Dossier
VS
TX Market

Eagle Pass, TX

Cost of Living Index: 88.1 · No State Income Tax
All-Occupation Median (BLS) $35,560
HUD 1BR Rent$931/mo
Est. Take-Home$30,752/yr
Top State Tax Rate0.00%
Local Income Tax0.00%
Explore Eagle Pass, TX Dossier

Executive Takeaway & Purchasing Power Verdict

The BLS median wage across all occupations is $61,430 in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ and $35,560 in Eagle Pass, TX, 42.1% lower in Eagle Pass. HUD's one-bedroom Fair Market Rent is $2,729 a month in New York and $931 in Eagle Pass (65.9% lower in Eagle Pass). On a $75,000 salary a single filer pays no state and local income tax in Eagle Pass, versus $5,925 in New York. EPI family budgets put overall living costs 51.3% lower in Eagle Pass, so $75,000 in New York goes about as far as $36,510 in Eagle Pass. Adjusted for living costs, the median wage buys about 18.9% more in Eagle Pass, TX than in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ.

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ vs Eagle Pass, TX: Shared Occupation Wages

Comparing empirical BLS median wages across common professions in both labor markets.

Category / Role New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ Median Eagle Pass, TX Median Advantage Delta Action
Medical and Health Services ManagersSOC 11-9111$167,580$99,360-40.7%Dossier
General and Operations ManagersSOC 11-1021$157,000$73,540-53.2%Dossier
Project Management SpecialistSOC 13-1082$126,660$69,550-45.1%Dossier
Registered Nurse (RN)SOC 29-1141$119,720$73,660-38.5%Dossier
Accountant & AuditorSOC 13-2011$105,650$65,900-37.6%Dossier

Head-to-Head Comparison Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ or Eagle Pass, TX?

Eagle Pass, TX is cheaper: its cost-of-living index (from EPI family budgets, U.S. = 100) is 88.1 versus 181.0 in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ. HUD's one-bedroom Fair Market Rent is $2,729 a month in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ and $931 in Eagle Pass, TX.

How much do I need to earn in Eagle Pass, TX to match $75,000 in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ?

About $36,510. That scales $75,000 by the ratio of the two metros' cost-of-living indexes (181.0 in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, 88.1 in Eagle Pass, TX); it does not account for differences in taxes.

Do jobs pay more in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ or Eagle Pass, TX?

The BLS median wage across all occupations is $61,430 in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ and $35,560 in Eagle Pass, TX. Pay for a specific occupation can differ; the table on this page compares BLS medians for occupations published in both metros.

How do income taxes compare between New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ and Eagle Pass, TX?

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ has a top state rate of 10.9% plus a 3.88% local income tax; a single filer earning $75,000 pays $5,925 in state and local income tax there. Eagle Pass, TX has no state income tax; a single filer earning $75,000 pays $0 in state and local income tax there. Federal income tax and FICA are the same in both.

Where does the median wage go further?

Dividing each metro's BLS median wage by its cost-of-living index, the median wage buys about 18.9% more in Eagle Pass, TX than in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ.

Reciprocal Route & Triangular Silo Links

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ vs. Eagle Pass, TX: Reverse Comparison & Regional Hubs

Reverse Comparison: Eagle Pass, TX vs. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ vs. Eagle Pass, TX Overview

Side-by-side wage, living expense, & tax arbitrage comparison for New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ vs. Eagle Pass, TX. Empirical BLS earnings & HUD. Official 2026 economic data for New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ vs. Eagle Pass, TX compiled from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, HUD Fair Market Rents, and statutory tax codes.

Quick answers
Is it cheaper to live in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ or Eagle Pass, TX?

Eagle Pass, TX is cheaper: its cost-of-living index (from EPI family budgets, U.S. = 100) is 88.1 versus 181.0 in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ. HUD's one-bedroom Fair Market Rent is $2,729 a month in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ and $931 in Eagle Pass, TX.

How much do I need to earn in Eagle Pass, TX to match $75,000 in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ?

About $36,510. That scales $75,000 by the ratio of the two metros' cost-of-living indexes (181.0 in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, 88.1 in Eagle Pass, TX); it does not account for differences in taxes.