Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: Houston, TX vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in Houston, TX and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$47,000 vs $52,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$43,925 vs $41,935
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$40,587 vs $38,748
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $47,000 | $52,000▲ | -$5,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,190 | $40,040▲ | -$3,850 |
| 75th Percentile | $60,160 | $66,560▲ | -$6,400 |
| 90th Percentile | $75,200 | $83,200▲ | -$8,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 124 | -17 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $43,925▲ | $41,935 | +$1,990 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $43,428 | $48,048▲ | -$4,620 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $40,587▲ | $38,748 | +$1,839 |
| Total Employment | 70,000 | 95,000 | -25,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $5,000 more (median: $47,000 vs $52,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 124), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($43,925 vs $41,935 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.