Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Nashville, TN vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Nashville, TN and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$104,000 vs $123,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$94,545 vs $99,194
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$87,360 vs $91,655
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $104,000 | $123,000▲ | -$19,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,080 | $94,710▲ | -$14,630 |
| 75th Percentile | $133,120 | $157,440▲ | -$24,320 |
| 90th Percentile | $166,400 | $196,800▲ | -$30,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 124 | -14 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $94,545 | $99,194▲ | -$4,649 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $96,096 | $113,652▲ | -$17,556 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $87,360 | $91,655▲ | -$4,295 |
| Total Employment | 14,400 | 30,400 | -16,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $19,000 more (median: $104,000 vs $123,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($94,545 vs $99,194 equivalent). Nashville, TN 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.