Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: Nashville, TN vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in Nashville, TN and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$114,000 vs $136,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$103,636 vs $109,677
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$95,760 vs $101,342
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $114,000 | $136,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $87,780 | $104,720▲ | -$16,940 |
| 75th Percentile | $145,920 | $174,080▲ | -$28,160 |
| 90th Percentile | $182,400 | $217,600▲ | -$35,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 124 | -14 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $103,636 | $109,677▲ | -$6,041 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $105,336 | $125,664▲ | -$20,328 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $95,760 | $101,342▲ | -$5,582 |
| Total Employment | 14,400 | 30,400 | -16,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $22,000 more (median: $114,000 vs $136,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($103,636 vs $109,677 equivalent). Nashville, TN 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.