College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Columbus, OH vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Columbus, OH and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$62,000 vs $77,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Columbus, OH
$68,132 vs $62,097
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Columbus, OH
$60,442 vs $57,377
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $62,000 | $77,000▲ | -$15,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,740 | $59,290▲ | -$11,550 |
| 75th Percentile | $79,360 | $98,560▲ | -$19,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $99,200 | $123,200▲ | -$24,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 124 | -33 |
| State Income Tax | 3.99% | 0%▲ | +3.99% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $68,132▲ | $62,097 | +$6,035 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $55,002 | $71,148▲ | -$16,146 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $60,442▲ | $57,377 | +$3,065 |
| Total Employment | 24,000 | 57,000 | -33,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Columbus, OH minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $15,000 more (median: $62,000 vs $77,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 91 vs 124), Columbus, OH provides better purchasing power ($68,132 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.