College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Dallas, TX vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Dallas, TX and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$73,000 vs $77,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Dallas, TX
$65,179 vs $62,097
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Dallas, TX
$60,225 vs $57,377
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $73,000 | $77,000▲ | -$4,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $56,210 | $59,290▲ | -$3,080 |
| 75th Percentile | $93,440 | $98,560▲ | -$5,120 |
| 90th Percentile | $116,800 | $123,200▲ | -$6,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 124 | -12 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $65,179▲ | $62,097 | +$3,082 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $67,452 | $71,148▲ | -$3,696 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $60,225▲ | $57,377 | +$2,848 |
| Total Employment | 52,500 | 57,000 | -4,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Dallas, TX minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $4,000 more (median: $73,000 vs $77,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 124), Dallas, TX provides better purchasing power ($65,179 vs $62,097 equivalent). Dallas, 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.