Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: Louisville, KY vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in Louisville, KY and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$58,000 vs $75,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$66,667 vs $60,484
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Louisville, KY
$59,136 vs $55,887
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $58,000 | $75,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,000 | $57,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $75,000 | $97,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $94,000 | $122,000▲ | -$28,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 124 | -37 |
| State Income Tax | 4% | 0%▲ | +4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $66,667▲ | $60,484 | +$6,183 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $51,448 | $69,300▲ | -$17,852 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $59,136▲ | $55,887 | +$3,249 |
| Total Employment | 7,000 | 14,000 | -7,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Louisville, KY minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $17,000 more (median: $58,000 vs $75,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 124), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($66,667 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.