Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: Salt Lake City, UT vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in Salt Lake City, UT and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$65,000 vs $75,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$58,036 vs $60,484
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$51,131 vs $55,887
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $65,000 | $75,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,000 | $57,000▲ | -$7,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $84,000 | $97,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $106,000 | $122,000▲ | -$16,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 124 | -12 |
| State Income Tax | 4.65% | 0%▲ | +4.65% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $58,036 | $60,484▲ | -$2,448 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $57,267 | $69,300▲ | -$12,033 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $51,131 | $55,887▲ | -$4,756 |
| Total Employment | 9,000 | 14,000 | -5,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Salt Lake City, UT minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $10,000 more (median: $65,000 vs $75,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($58,036 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.