Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: Austin, TX vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in Austin, TX and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$75,000 vs $72,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$60,484 vs $56,250
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$55,887 vs $49,688
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $75,000▲ | $72,000 | +$3,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $57,000▲ | $55,000 | +$2,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $97,000▲ | $93,000 | +$4,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $122,000▲ | $117,000 | +$5,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 128 | -4 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 4.4% | -4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $60,484▲ | $56,250 | +$4,234 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $69,300▲ | $63,601 | +$5,699 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $55,887▲ | $49,688 | +$6,199 |
| Total Employment | 14,000 | 12,000 | +2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $3,000 more (median: $75,000 vs $72,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 128), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($60,484 vs $56,250 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.