Lawyer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Lawyer Salary: San Diego, CA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Lawyers in San Diego, CA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Diego, CA
$148,000 vs $142,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$97,368 vs $114,516
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$81,601 vs $105,813
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $148,000▲ | $142,000 | +$6,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $104,000▲ | $99,000 | +$5,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $201,000▲ | $192,000 | +$9,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $265,000▲ | $255,000 | +$10,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 124 | +28 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $97,368 | $114,516▲ | -$17,148 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $124,034 | $131,208▲ | -$7,174 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $81,601 | $105,813▲ | -$24,212 |
| Total Employment | 6,000 | 5,000 | +1,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Diego, CA pays $6,000 more (median: $148,000 vs $142,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($97,368 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.