Lawyer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Lawyer Salary: Memphis, TN vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Lawyers in Memphis, TN and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$98,000 vs $142,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$118,072 vs $114,516
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$109,099 vs $105,813
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $98,000 | $142,000▲ | -$44,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $69,000 | $99,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $133,000 | $192,000▲ | -$59,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $176,000 | $255,000▲ | -$79,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 124 | -41 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $118,072▲ | $114,516 | +$3,556 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $90,552 | $131,208▲ | -$40,656 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $109,099▲ | $105,813 | +$3,286 |
| Total Employment | 3,000 | 5,000 | -2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $44,000 more (median: $98,000 vs $142,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 124), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($118,072 vs $114,516 equivalent). Memphis, TN 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.