Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: Washington, DC vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in Washington, DC and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Washington, DC
$88,000 vs $75,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$57,895 vs $60,484
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$50,018 vs $55,887
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $88,000▲ | $75,000 | +$13,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $67,000▲ | $57,000 | +$10,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $114,000▲ | $97,000 | +$17,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $143,000▲ | $122,000 | +$21,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 124 | +28 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5% | 0%▲ | +6.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $57,895 | $60,484▲ | -$2,589 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $76,027▲ | $69,300 | +$6,727 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $50,018 | $55,887▲ | -$5,869 |
| Total Employment | 25,000 | 14,000 | +11,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Washington, DC pays $13,000 more (median: $88,000 vs $75,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($57,895 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.