Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: Denver, CO vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in Denver, CO and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$72,000 vs $75,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$56,250 vs $60,484
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$49,688 vs $55,887
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Denver, CO | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $72,000 | $75,000▲ | -$3,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $55,000 | $57,000▲ | -$2,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $93,000 | $97,000▲ | -$4,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $117,000 | $122,000▲ | -$5,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 124 | +4 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% | 0%▲ | +4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $56,250 | $60,484▲ | -$4,234 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $63,601 | $69,300▲ | -$5,699 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $49,688 | $55,887▲ | -$6,199 |
| Total Employment | 12,000 | 14,000 | -2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Denver, CO minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $3,000 more (median: $72,000 vs $75,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 128 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($56,250 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.