Database Administrator · Salary Comparison · 2026
Database Administrator Salary: Nashville, TN vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Database Administrators in Nashville, TN and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$83,000 vs $98,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$75,455 vs $79,032
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$69,720 vs $73,026
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $83,000 | $98,000▲ | -$15,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $63,910 | $75,460▲ | -$11,550 |
| 75th Percentile | $106,240 | $125,440▲ | -$19,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $132,800 | $156,800▲ | -$24,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 124 | -14 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $75,455 | $79,032▲ | -$3,577 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $76,692 | $90,552▲ | -$13,860 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $69,720 | $73,026▲ | -$3,306 |
| Total Employment | 14,400 | 30,400 | -16,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $15,000 more (median: $83,000 vs $98,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($75,455 vs $79,032 equivalent). Nashville, TN 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.