Database Administrator · Salary Comparison · 2026
Database Administrator Salary: Denver, CO vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Database Administrators in Denver, CO and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$95,000 vs $98,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$74,219 vs $79,032
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$65,561 vs $73,026
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Denver, CO | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $95,000 | $98,000▲ | -$3,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,150 | $75,460▲ | -$2,310 |
| 75th Percentile | $121,600 | $125,440▲ | -$3,840 |
| 90th Percentile | $152,000 | $156,800▲ | -$4,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 124 | +4 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% | 0%▲ | +4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $74,219 | $79,032▲ | -$4,813 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $83,918 | $90,552▲ | -$6,634 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $65,561 | $73,026▲ | -$7,465 |
| Total Employment | 22,400 | 30,400 | -8,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Denver, CO minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $3,000 more (median: $95,000 vs $98,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 128 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($74,219 vs $79,032 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.