College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Denver, CO vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Denver, CO and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$74,000 vs $77,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$57,813 vs $62,097
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$51,068 vs $57,377
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Denver, CO | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $74,000 | $77,000▲ | -$3,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $56,980 | $59,290▲ | -$2,310 |
| 75th Percentile | $94,720 | $98,560▲ | -$3,840 |
| 90th Percentile | $118,400 | $123,200▲ | -$4,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 124 | +4 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% | 0%▲ | +4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $57,813 | $62,097▲ | -$4,284 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $65,367 | $71,148▲ | -$5,781 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $51,068 | $57,377▲ | -$6,309 |
| Total Employment | 42,000 | 57,000 | -15,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Denver, CO minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $3,000 more (median: $74,000 vs $77,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 128 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($57,813 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.