Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Denver, CO vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Denver, CO and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$119,000 vs $123,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$92,969 vs $99,194
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$82,123 vs $91,655
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Denver, CO | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $119,000 | $123,000▲ | -$4,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $91,630 | $94,710▲ | -$3,080 |
| 75th Percentile | $152,320 | $157,440▲ | -$5,120 |
| 90th Percentile | $190,400 | $196,800▲ | -$6,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 124 | +4 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% | 0%▲ | +4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $92,969 | $99,194▲ | -$6,225 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $105,118 | $113,652▲ | -$8,534 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $82,123 | $91,655▲ | -$9,532 |
| Total Employment | 22,400 | 30,400 | -8,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Denver, CO minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $4,000 more (median: $119,000 vs $123,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 128 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($92,969 vs $99,194 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.