College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Richmond, VA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Richmond, VA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$63,000 vs $77,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$62,376 vs $62,097
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$54,322 vs $57,377
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $63,000 | $77,000▲ | -$14,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,510 | $59,290▲ | -$10,780 |
| 75th Percentile | $80,640 | $98,560▲ | -$17,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $100,800 | $123,200▲ | -$22,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 124 | -23 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75% | 0%▲ | +5.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $62,376▲ | $62,097 | +$279 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $54,865 | $71,148▲ | -$16,283 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $54,322 | $57,377▲ | -$3,055 |
| Total Employment | 21,000 | 57,000 | -36,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $14,000 more (median: $63,000 vs $77,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 124), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($62,376 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.