Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: Oklahoma City, OK vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in Oklahoma City, OK and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$36,000 vs $52,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$41,860 vs $41,935
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$36,842 vs $38,748
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $36,000 | $52,000▲ | -$16,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $27,720 | $40,040▲ | -$12,320 |
| 75th Percentile | $46,080 | $66,560▲ | -$20,480 |
| 90th Percentile | $57,600 | $83,200▲ | -$25,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 86 | 124 | -38 |
| State Income Tax | 4.75% | 0%▲ | +4.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $41,860 | $41,935▲ | -$75 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $31,684 | $48,048▲ | -$16,364 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $36,842 | $38,748▲ | -$1,906 |
| Total Employment | 22,500 | 95,000 | -72,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Oklahoma City, OK minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $16,000 more (median: $36,000 vs $52,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 86 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($41,860 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.