Marketing Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Marketing Manager Salary: Denver, CO vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Marketing Managers in Denver, CO and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$112,000 vs $118,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$87,500 vs $95,161
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$77,293 vs $87,929
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Denver, CO | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $112,000 | $118,000▲ | -$6,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $83,000 | $87,000▲ | -$4,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $148,000 | $155,000▲ | -$7,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $184,000 | $194,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 124 | +4 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% | 0%▲ | +4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $87,500 | $95,161▲ | -$7,661 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $98,935 | $109,032▲ | -$10,097 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $77,293 | $87,929▲ | -$10,636 |
| Total Employment | 6,000 | 7,000 | -1,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Denver, CO minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $6,000 more (median: $112,000 vs $118,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 128 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($87,500 vs $95,161 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
4More Marketing Manager City Comparisons
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.