Database Administrator · Salary Comparison · 2026
Database Administrator Salary: Dallas, TX vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Database Administrators in Dallas, TX and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$92,000 vs $98,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Dallas, TX
$82,143 vs $79,032
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Dallas, TX
$75,900 vs $73,026
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $92,000 | $98,000▲ | -$6,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $70,840 | $75,460▲ | -$4,620 |
| 75th Percentile | $117,760 | $125,440▲ | -$7,680 |
| 90th Percentile | $147,200 | $156,800▲ | -$9,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 124 | -12 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $82,143▲ | $79,032 | +$3,111 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $85,008 | $90,552▲ | -$5,544 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $75,900▲ | $73,026 | +$2,874 |
| Total Employment | 28,000 | 30,400 | -2,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Dallas, TX minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $6,000 more (median: $92,000 vs $98,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 124), Dallas, TX provides better purchasing power ($82,143 vs $79,032 equivalent). Dallas, 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.