Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in Los Angeles, CA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Los Angeles, CA
$85,000 vs $75,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$49,133 vs $60,484
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$41,177 vs $55,887
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $85,000▲ | $75,000 | +$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $65,000▲ | $57,000 | +$8,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $110,000▲ | $97,000 | +$13,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $138,000▲ | $122,000 | +$16,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 124 | +49 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $49,133 | $60,484▲ | -$11,351 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $71,236▲ | $69,300 | +$1,936 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $41,177 | $55,887▲ | -$14,710 |
| Total Employment | 35,000 | 14,000 | +21,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Los Angeles, CA pays $10,000 more (median: $85,000 vs $75,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($49,133 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.