College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Memphis, TN vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Memphis, TN and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$52,000 vs $77,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$62,651 vs $62,097
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$57,889 vs $57,377
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $52,000 | $77,000▲ | -$25,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $40,040 | $59,290▲ | -$19,250 |
| 75th Percentile | $66,560 | $98,560▲ | -$32,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $83,200 | $123,200▲ | -$40,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 124 | -41 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $62,651▲ | $62,097 | +$554 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $48,048 | $71,148▲ | -$23,100 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $57,889▲ | $57,377 | +$512 |
| Total Employment | 12,000 | 57,000 | -45,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $25,000 more (median: $52,000 vs $77,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 124), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($62,651 vs $62,097 equivalent). Memphis, TN 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.