College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Raleigh, NC vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Raleigh, NC and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$69,000 vs $77,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$66,990 vs $62,097
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$59,114 vs $57,377
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $69,000 | $77,000▲ | -$8,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $53,130 | $59,290▲ | -$6,160 |
| 75th Percentile | $88,320 | $98,560▲ | -$10,240 |
| 90th Percentile | $110,400 | $123,200▲ | -$12,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 124 | -21 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5% | 0%▲ | +4.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $66,990▲ | $62,097 | +$4,893 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $60,887 | $71,148▲ | -$10,261 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $59,114▲ | $57,377 | +$1,737 |
| Total Employment | 33,000 | 57,000 | -24,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $8,000 more (median: $69,000 vs $77,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 124), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($66,990 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.