Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: Louisville, KY vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in Louisville, KY and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$97,000 vs $136,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$111,494 vs $109,677
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$98,900 vs $101,342
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $97,000 | $136,000▲ | -$39,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $74,690 | $104,720▲ | -$30,030 |
| 75th Percentile | $124,160 | $174,080▲ | -$49,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $155,200 | $217,600▲ | -$62,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 124 | -37 |
| State Income Tax | 4% | 0%▲ | +4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $111,494▲ | $109,677 | +$1,817 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $86,043 | $125,664▲ | -$39,621 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $98,900 | $101,342▲ | -$2,442 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 30,400 | -22,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Louisville, KY minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $39,000 more (median: $97,000 vs $136,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 124), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($111,494 vs $109,677 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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.