College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Austin, TX vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Austin, TX and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$77,000 vs $85,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$62,097 vs $52,469
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$57,377 vs $46,057
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $77,000 | $85,000▲ | -$8,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,290 | $65,450▲ | -$6,160 |
| 75th Percentile | $98,560 | $108,800▲ | -$10,240 |
| 90th Percentile | $123,200 | $136,000▲ | -$12,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 162 | -38 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $62,097▲ | $52,469 | +$9,628 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $71,148 | $74,613▲ | -$3,465 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $57,377▲ | $46,057 | +$11,320 |
| Total Employment | 57,000 | 63,000 | -6,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $8,000 more (median: $77,000 vs $85,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 162), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($62,097 vs $52,469 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.