Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Washington, DC vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Washington, DC and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Washington, DC
$134,000 vs $123,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$88,158 vs $99,194
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$76,163 vs $91,655
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $134,000▲ | $123,000 | +$11,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $103,180▲ | $94,710 | +$8,470 |
| 75th Percentile | $171,520▲ | $157,440 | +$14,080 |
| 90th Percentile | $214,400▲ | $196,800 | +$17,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 124 | +28 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5% | 0%▲ | +6.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $88,158 | $99,194▲ | -$11,036 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $115,768▲ | $113,652 | +$2,116 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $76,163 | $91,655▲ | -$15,492 |
| Total Employment | 36,000 | 30,400 | +5,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Washington, DC pays $11,000 more (median: $134,000 vs $123,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($88,158 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.