Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: Columbus, OH vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in Columbus, OH and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$64,000 vs $85,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Columbus, OH
$70,330 vs $52,469
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Columbus, OH
$62,391 vs $48,481
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $64,000 | $85,000▲ | -$21,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $49,000 | $65,000▲ | -$16,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $83,000 | $110,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $104,000 | $138,000▲ | -$34,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 162 | -71 |
| State Income Tax | 3.99% | 0%▲ | +3.99% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $70,330▲ | $52,469 | +$17,861 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $56,776 | $78,540▲ | -$21,764 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $62,391▲ | $48,481 | +$13,910 |
| Total Employment | 11,000 | 16,000 | -5,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Columbus, OH minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $21,000 more (median: $64,000 vs $85,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 91 vs 162), Columbus, OH provides better purchasing power ($70,330 vs $52,469 equivalent). Seattle, WA 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.