Lawyer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Lawyer Salary: Indianapolis, IN vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Lawyers in Indianapolis, IN and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$112,000 vs $142,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$124,444 vs $114,516
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$111,364 vs $105,813
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $112,000 | $142,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $79,000 | $99,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $152,000 | $192,000▲ | -$40,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $201,000 | $255,000▲ | -$54,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 124 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 3.15% | 0%▲ | +3.15% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $124,444▲ | $114,516 | +$9,928 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $100,228 | $131,208▲ | -$30,980 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $111,364▲ | $105,813 | +$5,551 |
| Total Employment | 4,000 | 5,000 | -1,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Indianapolis, IN minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $30,000 more (median: $112,000 vs $142,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 124), Indianapolis, IN provides better purchasing power ($124,444 vs $114,516 equivalent). Austin, 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.