Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: Nashville, TN vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in Nashville, TN and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$44,000 vs $52,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$40,000 vs $41,935
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$36,960 vs $38,748
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $44,000 | $52,000▲ | -$8,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,880 | $40,040▲ | -$6,160 |
| 75th Percentile | $56,320 | $66,560▲ | -$10,240 |
| 90th Percentile | $70,400 | $83,200▲ | -$12,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 124 | -14 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $40,000 | $41,935▲ | -$1,935 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $40,656 | $48,048▲ | -$7,392 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $36,960 | $38,748▲ | -$1,788 |
| Total Employment | 45,000 | 95,000 | -50,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $8,000 more (median: $44,000 vs $52,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($40,000 vs $41,935 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.