Lawyer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Lawyer Salary: Raleigh, NC vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Lawyers in Raleigh, NC and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$125,000 vs $142,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$121,359 vs $114,516
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$107,090 vs $105,813
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $125,000 | $142,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $88,000 | $99,000▲ | -$11,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $170,000 | $192,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $225,000 | $255,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 124 | -21 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5% | 0%▲ | +4.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $121,359▲ | $114,516 | +$6,843 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $110,303 | $131,208▲ | -$20,905 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $107,090▲ | $105,813 | +$1,277 |
| Total Employment | 4,000 | 5,000 | -1,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $17,000 more (median: $125,000 vs $142,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 124), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($121,359 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.