College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Louisville, KY vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Louisville, KY and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$55,000 vs $77,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$63,218 vs $62,097
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$56,077 vs $57,377
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $55,000 | $77,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $42,350 | $59,290▲ | -$16,940 |
| 75th Percentile | $70,400 | $98,560▲ | -$28,160 |
| 90th Percentile | $88,000 | $123,200▲ | -$35,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 124 | -37 |
| State Income Tax | 4% | 0%▲ | +4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $63,218▲ | $62,097 | +$1,121 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $48,787 | $71,148▲ | -$22,361 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $56,077 | $57,377▲ | -$1,300 |
| Total Employment | 15,000 | 57,000 | -42,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Louisville, KY minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $22,000 more (median: $55,000 vs $77,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 124), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($63,218 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.