Business Analyst · Salary Comparison · 2026
Business Analyst Salary: Nashville, TN vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Business Analysts in Nashville, TN and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$80,000 vs $95,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$72,727 vs $76,613
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$67,200 vs $70,790
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $80,000 | $95,000▲ | -$15,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $61,600 | $73,150▲ | -$11,550 |
| 75th Percentile | $102,400 | $121,600▲ | -$19,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,000 | $152,000▲ | -$24,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 124 | -14 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $72,727 | $76,613▲ | -$3,886 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $73,920 | $87,780▲ | -$13,860 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $67,200 | $70,790▲ | -$3,590 |
| Total Employment | 27,000 | 57,000 | -30,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $15,000 more (median: $80,000 vs $95,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($72,727 vs $76,613 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.