Investment Banker · Salary Comparison · 2026
Investment Banker Salary: Austin, TX vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Investment Bankers in Austin, TX and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$154,000 vs $149,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$124,194 vs $116,406
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$114,755 vs $102,827
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $154,000▲ | $149,000 | +$5,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $118,580▲ | $114,730 | +$3,850 |
| 75th Percentile | $197,120▲ | $190,720 | +$6,400 |
| 90th Percentile | $246,400▲ | $238,400 | +$8,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 128 | -4 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 4.4% | -4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $124,194▲ | $116,406 | +$7,788 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $142,296▲ | $131,618 | +$10,678 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $114,755▲ | $102,827 | +$11,928 |
| Total Employment | 30,400 | 22,400 | +8,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $5,000 more (median: $154,000 vs $149,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 128), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($124,194 vs $116,406 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.