College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Oklahoma City, OK vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Oklahoma City, OK and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$54,000 vs $77,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Oklahoma City, OK
$62,791 vs $62,097
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$55,263 vs $57,377
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $54,000 | $77,000▲ | -$23,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $41,580 | $59,290▲ | -$17,710 |
| 75th Percentile | $69,120 | $98,560▲ | -$29,440 |
| 90th Percentile | $86,400 | $123,200▲ | -$36,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 86 | 124 | -38 |
| State Income Tax | 4.75% | 0%▲ | +4.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $62,791▲ | $62,097 | +$694 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $47,526 | $71,148▲ | -$23,622 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $55,263 | $57,377▲ | -$2,114 |
| Total Employment | 13,500 | 57,000 | -43,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Oklahoma City, OK minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $23,000 more (median: $54,000 vs $77,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 86 vs 124), Oklahoma City, OK provides better purchasing power ($62,791 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.