Financial Analyst · Salary Comparison · 2026
Financial Analyst Salary: Louisville, KY vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Financial Analysts 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 $92,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$82,759 vs $74,194
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Louisville, KY
$73,410 vs $68,555
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $72,000 | $92,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $53,000 | $68,000▲ | -$15,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $94,000 | $120,000▲ | -$26,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $121,000 | $155,000▲ | -$34,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 124 | -37 |
| State Income Tax | 4% | 0%▲ | +4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $82,759▲ | $74,194 | +$8,565 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $63,867 | $85,008▲ | -$21,141 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $73,410▲ | $68,555 | +$4,855 |
| Total Employment | 5,000 | 9,000 | -4,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Louisville, KY minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $20,000 more (median: $72,000 vs $92,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 124), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($82,759 vs $74,194 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.