Financial Analyst · Salary Comparison · 2026
Financial Analyst Salary: Austin, TX vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Financial Analysts in Austin, TX and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$92,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$74,194 vs $64,815
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$68,555 vs $59,889
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $92,000 | $105,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $68,000 | $78,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $120,000 | $138,000▲ | -$18,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $155,000 | $177,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 162 | -38 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $74,194▲ | $64,815 | +$9,379 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $85,008 | $97,020▲ | -$12,012 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $68,555▲ | $59,889 | +$8,666 |
| Total Employment | 9,000 | 10,000 | -1,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $13,000 more (median: $92,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 162), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($74,194 vs $64,815 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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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.