Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: Washington, DC vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in Washington, DC and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Washington, DC
$56,000 vs $52,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$36,842 vs $41,935
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$31,830 vs $38,748
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $56,000▲ | $52,000 | +$4,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $43,120▲ | $40,040 | +$3,080 |
| 75th Percentile | $71,680▲ | $66,560 | +$5,120 |
| 90th Percentile | $89,600▲ | $83,200 | +$6,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 124 | +28 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5% | 0%▲ | +6.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $36,842 | $41,935▲ | -$5,093 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $48,381▲ | $48,048 | +$333 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $31,830 | $38,748▲ | -$6,918 |
| Total Employment | 112,500 | 95,000 | +17,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Washington, DC pays $4,000 more (median: $56,000 vs $52,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($36,842 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.