Lawyer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Lawyer Salary: Seattle, WA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Lawyers in Seattle, WA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$168,000 vs $142,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$103,704 vs $114,516
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$95,822 vs $105,813
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $168,000▲ | $142,000 | +$26,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $118,000▲ | $99,000 | +$19,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $228,000▲ | $192,000 | +$36,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $302,000▲ | $255,000 | +$47,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 124 | +38 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $103,704 | $114,516▲ | -$10,812 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $155,232▲ | $131,208 | +$24,024 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $95,822 | $105,813▲ | -$9,991 |
| Total Employment | 5,000 | 5,000 | — |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $26,000 more (median: $168,000 vs $142,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($103,704 vs $114,516 equivalent). Seattle, WA 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.