Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Raleigh, NC vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Raleigh, NC and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$110,000 vs $123,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$106,796 vs $99,194
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$94,239 vs $91,655
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $110,000 | $123,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $84,700 | $94,710▲ | -$10,010 |
| 75th Percentile | $140,800 | $157,440▲ | -$16,640 |
| 90th Percentile | $176,000 | $196,800▲ | -$20,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 124 | -21 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5% | 0%▲ | +4.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $106,796▲ | $99,194 | +$7,602 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $97,066 | $113,652▲ | -$16,586 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $94,239▲ | $91,655 | +$2,584 |
| Total Employment | 17,600 | 30,400 | -12,800 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $13,000 more (median: $110,000 vs $123,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 124), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($106,796 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.