Database Administrator · Salary Comparison · 2026
Database Administrator Salary: Houston, TX vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Database Administrators in Houston, TX and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$90,000 vs $119,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$84,112 vs $73,457
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$77,720 vs $67,874
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $90,000 | $119,000▲ | -$29,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $69,300 | $91,630▲ | -$22,330 |
| 75th Percentile | $115,200 | $152,320▲ | -$37,120 |
| 90th Percentile | $144,000 | $190,400▲ | -$46,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 162 | -55 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $84,112▲ | $73,457 | +$10,655 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $83,160 | $109,956▲ | -$26,796 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $77,720▲ | $67,874 | +$9,846 |
| Total Employment | 22,400 | 46,400 | -24,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $29,000 more (median: $90,000 vs $119,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 162), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($84,112 vs $73,457 equivalent). Houston, 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.