College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Houston, TX vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Houston, TX and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$70,000 vs $94,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$65,421 vs $58,025
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$60,449 vs $53,615
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $70,000 | $94,000▲ | -$24,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $53,900 | $72,380▲ | -$18,480 |
| 75th Percentile | $89,600 | $120,320▲ | -$30,720 |
| 90th Percentile | $112,000 | $150,400▲ | -$38,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 162 | -55 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $65,421▲ | $58,025 | +$7,396 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $64,680 | $86,856▲ | -$22,176 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $60,449▲ | $53,615 | +$6,834 |
| Total Employment | 42,000 | 87,000 | -45,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $24,000 more (median: $70,000 vs $94,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 162), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($65,421 vs $58,025 equivalent). Houston, 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.