College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Los Angeles, CA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Los Angeles, CA
$83,000 vs $77,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$47,977 vs $62,097
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$40,208 vs $57,377
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $83,000▲ | $77,000 | +$6,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $63,910▲ | $59,290 | +$4,620 |
| 75th Percentile | $106,240▲ | $98,560 | +$7,680 |
| 90th Percentile | $132,800▲ | $123,200 | +$9,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 124 | +49 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $47,977 | $62,097▲ | -$14,120 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $69,560 | $71,148▲ | -$1,588 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $40,208 | $57,377▲ | -$17,169 |
| Total Employment | 72,000 | 57,000 | +15,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Los Angeles, CA pays $6,000 more (median: $83,000 vs $77,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($47,977 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.