Financial Analyst · Salary Comparison · 2026
Financial Analyst Salary: Houston, TX vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Financial Analysts in Houston, TX and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Houston, TX
$92,000 vs $92,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$85,981 vs $74,194
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$79,447 vs $68,555
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $92,000▲ | $92,000 | — |
| 25th Percentile | $68,000▲ | $68,000 | — |
| 75th Percentile | $120,000▲ | $120,000 | — |
| 90th Percentile | $155,000▲ | $155,000 | — |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 124 | -17 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $85,981▲ | $74,194 | +$11,787 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $85,008▲ | $85,008 | — |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $79,447▲ | $68,555 | +$10,892 |
| Total Employment | 15,000 | 9,000 | +6,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Houston, TX pays $0 more (median: $92,000 vs $92,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 124), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($85,981 vs $74,194 equivalent). Houston, 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.