Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Louisville, KY vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Louisville, KY and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$88,000 vs $123,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$101,149 vs $99,194
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$89,724 vs $91,655
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $88,000 | $123,000▲ | -$35,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $67,760 | $94,710▲ | -$26,950 |
| 75th Percentile | $112,640 | $157,440▲ | -$44,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $140,800 | $196,800▲ | -$56,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 124 | -37 |
| State Income Tax | 4% | 0%▲ | +4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $101,149▲ | $99,194 | +$1,955 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $78,060 | $113,652▲ | -$35,592 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $89,724 | $91,655▲ | -$1,931 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 30,400 | -22,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Louisville, KY minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $35,000 more (median: $88,000 vs $123,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 124), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($101,149 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.