Database Administrator · Salary Comparison · 2026
Database Administrator Salary: Louisville, KY vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Database Administrators in Louisville, KY and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$70,000 vs $98,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$80,460 vs $79,032
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$71,371 vs $73,026
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $70,000 | $98,000▲ | -$28,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $53,900 | $75,460▲ | -$21,560 |
| 75th Percentile | $89,600 | $125,440▲ | -$35,840 |
| 90th Percentile | $112,000 | $156,800▲ | -$44,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 124 | -37 |
| State Income Tax | 4% | 0%▲ | +4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $80,460▲ | $79,032 | +$1,428 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $62,093 | $90,552▲ | -$28,459 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $71,371 | $73,026▲ | -$1,655 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 30,400 | -22,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Louisville, KY minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $28,000 more (median: $70,000 vs $98,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 124), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($80,460 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.