Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: Raleigh, NC vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in Raleigh, NC and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$46,000 vs $52,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$44,660 vs $41,935
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$39,409 vs $38,748
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $46,000 | $52,000▲ | -$6,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $35,420 | $40,040▲ | -$4,620 |
| 75th Percentile | $58,880 | $66,560▲ | -$7,680 |
| 90th Percentile | $73,600 | $83,200▲ | -$9,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 124 | -21 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5% | 0%▲ | +4.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $44,660▲ | $41,935 | +$2,725 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $40,591 | $48,048▲ | -$7,457 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $39,409▲ | $38,748 | +$661 |
| Total Employment | 55,000 | 95,000 | -40,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $6,000 more (median: $46,000 vs $52,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 124), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($44,660 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.