Lawyer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Lawyer Salary: Houston, TX vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Lawyers in Houston, TX and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Houston, TX
$145,000 vs $142,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$135,514 vs $114,516
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$125,215 vs $105,813
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $145,000▲ | $142,000 | +$3,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $102,000▲ | $99,000 | +$3,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $197,000▲ | $192,000 | +$5,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $260,000▲ | $255,000 | +$5,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 124 | -17 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $135,514▲ | $114,516 | +$20,998 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $133,980▲ | $131,208 | +$2,772 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $125,215▲ | $105,813 | +$19,402 |
| Total Employment | 10,000 | 5,000 | +5,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Houston, TX pays $3,000 more (median: $145,000 vs $142,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 124), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($135,514 vs $114,516 equivalent). Houston, 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.