Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: Portland, OR vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in Portland, OR and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Portland, OR
$136,000 vs $136,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$104,615 vs $109,677
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$88,206 vs $101,342
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Portland, OR | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $136,000▲ | $136,000 | — |
| 25th Percentile | $104,720▲ | $104,720 | — |
| 75th Percentile | $174,080▲ | $174,080 | — |
| 90th Percentile | $217,600▲ | $217,600 | — |
| Cost of Living Index | 130 | 124 | +6 |
| State Income Tax | 8.75% | 0%▲ | +8.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $104,615 | $109,677▲ | -$5,062 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $114,668 | $125,664▲ | -$10,996 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $88,206 | $101,342▲ | -$13,136 |
| Total Employment | 16,000 | 30,400 | -14,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Portland, OR minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Portland, OR pays $0 more (median: $136,000 vs $136,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 130 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($104,615 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.