Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: San Diego, CA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in San Diego, CA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Diego, CA
$75,000 vs $75,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$49,342 vs $60,484
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$41,352 vs $55,887
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $75,000▲ | $75,000 | — |
| 25th Percentile | $57,000▲ | $57,000 | — |
| 75th Percentile | $97,000▲ | $97,000 | — |
| 90th Percentile | $122,000▲ | $122,000 | — |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 124 | +28 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $49,342 | $60,484▲ | -$11,142 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $62,855 | $69,300▲ | -$6,445 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $41,352 | $55,887▲ | -$14,535 |
| Total Employment | 14,000 | 14,000 | — |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Diego, CA pays $0 more (median: $75,000 vs $75,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($49,342 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.