Lawyer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Lawyer Salary: Nashville, TN vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Lawyers in Nashville, TN and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$118,000 vs $142,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$107,273 vs $114,516
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$99,120 vs $105,813
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $118,000 | $142,000▲ | -$24,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $83,000 | $99,000▲ | -$16,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $160,000 | $192,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $212,000 | $255,000▲ | -$43,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 124 | -14 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $107,273 | $114,516▲ | -$7,243 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $109,032 | $131,208▲ | -$22,176 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $99,120 | $105,813▲ | -$6,693 |
| Total Employment | 5,000 | 5,000 | — |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $24,000 more (median: $118,000 vs $142,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($107,273 vs $114,516 equivalent). Nashville, 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.