Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: Columbus, OH vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in Columbus, OH and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$41,000 vs $52,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Columbus, OH
$45,055 vs $41,935
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Columbus, OH
$39,969 vs $38,748
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $41,000 | $52,000▲ | -$11,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $31,570 | $40,040▲ | -$8,470 |
| 75th Percentile | $52,480 | $66,560▲ | -$14,080 |
| 90th Percentile | $65,600 | $83,200▲ | -$17,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 124 | -33 |
| State Income Tax | 3.99% | 0%▲ | +3.99% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $45,055▲ | $41,935 | +$3,120 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $36,372 | $48,048▲ | -$11,676 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $39,969▲ | $38,748 | +$1,221 |
| Total Employment | 40,000 | 95,000 | -55,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Columbus, OH minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $11,000 more (median: $41,000 vs $52,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 91 vs 124), Columbus, OH provides better purchasing power ($45,055 vs $41,935 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.