Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: Seattle, WA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in Seattle, WA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$85,000 vs $75,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$52,469 vs $60,484
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$48,481 vs $55,887
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | 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 | 162 | 124 | +38 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $52,469 | $60,484▲ | -$8,015 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $78,540▲ | $69,300 | +$9,240 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $48,481 | $55,887▲ | -$7,406 |
| Total Employment | 16,000 | 14,000 | +2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $10,000 more (median: $85,000 vs $75,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($52,469 vs $60,484 equivalent). Seattle, WA 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.