Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: Houston, TX vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in Houston, TX and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$74,000 vs $75,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$69,159 vs $60,484
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$63,903 vs $55,887
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $74,000 | $75,000▲ | -$1,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $56,000 | $57,000▲ | -$1,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $96,000 | $97,000▲ | -$1,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $121,000 | $122,000▲ | -$1,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 124 | -17 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $69,159▲ | $60,484 | +$8,675 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $68,376 | $69,300▲ | -$924 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $63,903▲ | $55,887 | +$8,016 |
| Total Employment | 20,000 | 14,000 | +6,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $1,000 more (median: $74,000 vs $75,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 124), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($69,159 vs $60,484 equivalent). Houston, 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.