College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Portland, OR vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Portland, OR and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Portland, OR
$77,000 vs $77,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$59,231 vs $62,097
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$49,941 vs $57,377
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Portland, OR | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $77,000▲ | $77,000 | — |
| 25th Percentile | $59,290▲ | $59,290 | — |
| 75th Percentile | $98,560▲ | $98,560 | — |
| 90th Percentile | $123,200▲ | $123,200 | — |
| Cost of Living Index | 130 | 124 | +6 |
| State Income Tax | 8.75% | 0%▲ | +8.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $59,231 | $62,097▲ | -$2,866 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $64,923 | $71,148▲ | -$6,225 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $49,941 | $57,377▲ | -$7,436 |
| Total Employment | 30,000 | 57,000 | -27,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Portland, OR minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Portland, OR pays $0 more (median: $77,000 vs $77,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 130 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($59,231 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.