Lawyer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Lawyer Salary: Houston, TX vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Lawyers in Houston, TX and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$145,000 vs $168,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$135,514 vs $103,704
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$125,215 vs $95,822
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $145,000 | $168,000▲ | -$23,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $102,000 | $118,000▲ | -$16,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $197,000 | $228,000▲ | -$31,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $260,000 | $302,000▲ | -$42,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 162 | -55 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $135,514▲ | $103,704 | +$31,810 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $133,980 | $155,232▲ | -$21,252 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $125,215▲ | $95,822 | +$29,393 |
| Total Employment | 10,000 | 5,000 | +5,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $23,000 more (median: $145,000 vs $168,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 162), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($135,514 vs $103,704 equivalent). Houston, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
4More Lawyer City Comparisons
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.