Financial Advisor · Salary Comparison · 2026
Financial Advisor Salary: Louisville, KY vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Financial Advisors in Louisville, KY and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$72,000 vs $101,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$82,759 vs $81,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$73,410 vs $75,261
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $72,000 | $101,000▲ | -$29,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $55,440 | $77,770▲ | -$22,330 |
| 75th Percentile | $92,160 | $129,280▲ | -$37,120 |
| 90th Percentile | $115,200 | $161,600▲ | -$46,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 124 | -37 |
| State Income Tax | 4% | 0%▲ | +4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $82,759▲ | $81,452 | +$1,307 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $63,867 | $93,324▲ | -$29,457 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $73,410 | $75,261▲ | -$1,851 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 30,400 | -22,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Louisville, KY minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $29,000 more (median: $72,000 vs $101,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 124), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($82,759 vs $81,452 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.