Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: Detroit, MI vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in Detroit, MI and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$62,000 vs $75,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Detroit, MI
$69,663 vs $60,484
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Detroit, MI
$61,633 vs $55,887
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $62,000 | $75,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,000 | $57,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $80,000 | $97,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $101,000 | $122,000▲ | -$21,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 89 | 124 | -35 |
| State Income Tax | 4.25% | 0%▲ | +4.25% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $69,663▲ | $60,484 | +$9,179 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $54,853 | $69,300▲ | -$14,447 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $61,633▲ | $55,887 | +$5,746 |
| Total Employment | 12,000 | 14,000 | -2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Detroit, MI minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $13,000 more (median: $62,000 vs $75,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 89 vs 124), Detroit, MI provides better purchasing power ($69,663 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.