Lawyer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Lawyer Salary: Washington, DC vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Lawyers in Washington, DC and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Washington, DC
$188,000 vs $142,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Washington, DC
$123,684 vs $114,516
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Washington, DC
$106,856 vs $105,813
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $188,000▲ | $142,000 | +$46,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $133,000▲ | $99,000 | +$34,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $256,000▲ | $192,000 | +$64,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $338,000▲ | $255,000 | +$83,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 124 | +28 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5% | 0%▲ | +6.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $123,684▲ | $114,516 | +$9,168 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $162,421▲ | $131,208 | +$31,213 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $106,856▲ | $105,813 | +$1,043 |
| Total Employment | 15,000 | 5,000 | +10,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Washington, DC pays $46,000 more (median: $188,000 vs $142,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 124), Washington, DC provides better purchasing power ($123,684 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.