College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: San Diego, CA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in San Diego, CA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Diego, CA
$80,000 vs $77,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$52,632 vs $62,097
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$44,109 vs $57,377
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $80,000▲ | $77,000 | +$3,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $61,600▲ | $59,290 | +$2,310 |
| 75th Percentile | $102,400▲ | $98,560 | +$3,840 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,000▲ | $123,200 | +$4,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 124 | +28 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $52,632 | $62,097▲ | -$9,465 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $67,045 | $71,148▲ | -$4,103 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $44,109 | $57,377▲ | -$13,268 |
| Total Employment | 36,000 | 57,000 | -21,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Diego, CA pays $3,000 more (median: $80,000 vs $77,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($52,632 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.