Dental Hygienist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Dental Hygienist Salary: Austin, TX vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Dental Hygienists in Austin, TX and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$63,000 vs $61,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$50,806 vs $47,656
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$46,945 vs $42,097
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $63,000▲ | $61,000 | +$2,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,510▲ | $46,970 | +$1,540 |
| 75th Percentile | $80,640▲ | $78,080 | +$2,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $100,800▲ | $97,600 | +$3,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 128 | -4 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 4.4% | -4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $50,806▲ | $47,656 | +$3,150 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $58,212▲ | $53,884 | +$4,328 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $46,945▲ | $42,097 | +$4,848 |
| Total Employment | 95,000 | 70,000 | +25,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $2,000 more (median: $63,000 vs $61,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 128), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($50,806 vs $47,656 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.