Investment Banker · Salary Comparison · 2026
Investment Banker Salary: Austin, TX vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Investment Bankers in Austin, TX and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$154,000 vs $187,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$124,194 vs $115,432
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$114,755 vs $106,659
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $154,000 | $187,000▲ | -$33,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $118,580 | $143,990▲ | -$25,410 |
| 75th Percentile | $197,120 | $239,360▲ | -$42,240 |
| 90th Percentile | $246,400 | $299,200▲ | -$52,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 162 | -38 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $124,194▲ | $115,432 | +$8,762 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $142,296 | $172,788▲ | -$30,492 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $114,755▲ | $106,659 | +$8,096 |
| Total Employment | 30,400 | 46,400 | -16,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $33,000 more (median: $154,000 vs $187,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 162), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($124,194 vs $115,432 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.