HR Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
HR Manager Salary: Houston, TX vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for HR Managers in Houston, TX and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$92,000 vs $122,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$85,981 vs $75,309
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$79,447 vs $69,585
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $92,000 | $122,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $70,840 | $93,940▲ | -$23,100 |
| 75th Percentile | $117,760 | $156,160▲ | -$38,400 |
| 90th Percentile | $147,200 | $195,200▲ | -$48,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 162 | -55 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $85,981▲ | $75,309 | +$10,672 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $85,008 | $112,728▲ | -$27,720 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $79,447▲ | $69,585 | +$9,862 |
| Total Employment | 22,400 | 46,400 | -24,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $30,000 more (median: $92,000 vs $122,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 162), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($85,981 vs $75,309 equivalent). Houston, 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.