Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: El Paso, TX vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in El Paso, TX and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$50,000 vs $75,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$58,824 vs $60,484
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$54,353 vs $55,887
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $50,000 | $75,000▲ | -$25,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,000 | $57,000▲ | -$19,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $65,000 | $97,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $81,000 | $122,000▲ | -$41,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 124 | -39 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $58,824 | $60,484▲ | -$1,660 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $46,200 | $69,300▲ | -$23,100 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $54,353 | $55,887▲ | -$1,534 |
| Total Employment | 5,000 | 14,000 | -9,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $25,000 more (median: $50,000 vs $75,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($58,824 vs $60,484 equivalent). El Paso, 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.