HR Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
HR Manager Salary: Salt Lake City, UT vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for HR Managers in Salt Lake City, UT and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$86,000 vs $101,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$76,786 vs $81,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$67,651 vs $75,261
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $86,000 | $101,000▲ | -$15,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $66,220 | $77,770▲ | -$11,550 |
| 75th Percentile | $110,080 | $129,280▲ | -$19,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $137,600 | $161,600▲ | -$24,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 124 | -12 |
| State Income Tax | 4.65% | 0%▲ | +4.65% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $76,786 | $81,452▲ | -$4,666 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $75,769 | $93,324▲ | -$17,555 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $67,651 | $75,261▲ | -$7,610 |
| Total Employment | 14,400 | 30,400 | -16,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Salt Lake City, UT minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $15,000 more (median: $86,000 vs $101,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($76,786 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.