Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Los Angeles, CA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Los Angeles, CA
$132,000 vs $123,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$76,301 vs $99,194
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$63,945 vs $91,655
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $132,000▲ | $123,000 | +$9,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $101,640▲ | $94,710 | +$6,930 |
| 75th Percentile | $168,960▲ | $157,440 | +$11,520 |
| 90th Percentile | $211,200▲ | $196,800 | +$14,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 124 | +49 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $76,301 | $99,194▲ | -$22,893 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $110,625 | $113,652▲ | -$3,027 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $63,945 | $91,655▲ | -$27,710 |
| Total Employment | 38,400 | 30,400 | +8,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Los Angeles, CA pays $9,000 more (median: $132,000 vs $123,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($76,301 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.