Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Salt Lake City, UT vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Salt Lake City, UT and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$106,000 vs $123,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$94,643 vs $99,194
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$83,384 vs $91,655
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $106,000 | $123,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $81,620 | $94,710▲ | -$13,090 |
| 75th Percentile | $135,680 | $157,440▲ | -$21,760 |
| 90th Percentile | $169,600 | $196,800▲ | -$27,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 124 | -12 |
| State Income Tax | 4.65% | 0%▲ | +4.65% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $94,643 | $99,194▲ | -$4,551 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $93,390 | $113,652▲ | -$20,262 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $83,384 | $91,655▲ | -$8,271 |
| Total Employment | 14,400 | 30,400 | -16,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Salt Lake City, UT minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $17,000 more (median: $106,000 vs $123,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($94,643 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.