College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Charlotte, NC vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Charlotte, NC and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$63,000 vs $77,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$61,765 vs $62,097
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$54,502 vs $57,377
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $63,000 | $77,000▲ | -$14,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,510 | $59,290▲ | -$10,780 |
| 75th Percentile | $80,640 | $98,560▲ | -$17,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $100,800 | $123,200▲ | -$22,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 124 | -22 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5% | 0%▲ | +4.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $61,765 | $62,097▲ | -$332 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $55,592 | $71,148▲ | -$15,556 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $54,502 | $57,377▲ | -$2,875 |
| Total Employment | 30,000 | 57,000 | -27,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Charlotte, NC minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $14,000 more (median: $63,000 vs $77,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 102 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($61,765 vs $62,097 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.