Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: Memphis, TN vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in Memphis, TN and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$55,000 vs $75,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$66,265 vs $60,484
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$61,229 vs $55,887
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $55,000 | $75,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $42,000 | $57,000▲ | -$15,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $71,000 | $97,000▲ | -$26,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $89,000 | $122,000▲ | -$33,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 124 | -41 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $66,265▲ | $60,484 | +$5,781 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $50,820 | $69,300▲ | -$18,480 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $61,229▲ | $55,887 | +$5,342 |
| Total Employment | 6,000 | 14,000 | -8,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $20,000 more (median: $55,000 vs $75,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 124), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($66,265 vs $60,484 equivalent). Memphis, TN 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.