Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: Columbus, OH vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in Columbus, OH and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$64,000 vs $75,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Columbus, OH
$70,330 vs $60,484
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Columbus, OH
$62,391 vs $55,887
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $64,000 | $75,000▲ | -$11,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $49,000 | $57,000▲ | -$8,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $83,000 | $97,000▲ | -$14,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $104,000 | $122,000▲ | -$18,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 124 | -33 |
| State Income Tax | 3.99% | 0%▲ | +3.99% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $70,330▲ | $60,484 | +$9,846 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $56,776 | $69,300▲ | -$12,524 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $62,391▲ | $55,887 | +$6,504 |
| Total Employment | 11,000 | 14,000 | -3,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Columbus, OH minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $11,000 more (median: $64,000 vs $75,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 91 vs 124), Columbus, OH provides better purchasing power ($70,330 vs $60,484 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.