Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Portland, OR vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Portland, OR and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Portland, OR
$123,000 vs $123,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$94,615 vs $99,194
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$79,775 vs $91,655
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Portland, OR | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $123,000▲ | $123,000 | — |
| 25th Percentile | $94,710▲ | $94,710 | — |
| 75th Percentile | $157,440▲ | $157,440 | — |
| 90th Percentile | $196,800▲ | $196,800 | — |
| Cost of Living Index | 130 | 124 | +6 |
| State Income Tax | 8.75% | 0%▲ | +8.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $94,615 | $99,194▲ | -$4,579 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $103,707 | $113,652▲ | -$9,945 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $79,775 | $91,655▲ | -$11,880 |
| Total Employment | 16,000 | 30,400 | -14,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Portland, OR minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Portland, OR pays $0 more (median: $123,000 vs $123,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 130 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($94,615 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.