College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Nashville, TN vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Nashville, TN and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$65,000 vs $77,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$59,091 vs $62,097
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$54,600 vs $57,377
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $65,000 | $77,000▲ | -$12,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,050 | $59,290▲ | -$9,240 |
| 75th Percentile | $83,200 | $98,560▲ | -$15,360 |
| 90th Percentile | $104,000 | $123,200▲ | -$19,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 124 | -14 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $59,091 | $62,097▲ | -$3,006 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $60,060 | $71,148▲ | -$11,088 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $54,600 | $57,377▲ | -$2,777 |
| Total Employment | 27,000 | 57,000 | -30,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $12,000 more (median: $65,000 vs $77,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($59,091 vs $62,097 equivalent). Nashville, 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.