Marketing Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Marketing Manager Salary: Houston, TX vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Marketing Managers in Houston, TX 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
✓ Houston, TX
$104,673 vs $95,161
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$96,718 vs $87,929
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | 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 | 107 | 124 | -17 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $104,673▲ | $95,161 | +$9,512 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $103,488 | $109,032▲ | -$5,544 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $96,718▲ | $87,929 | +$8,789 |
| Total Employment | 9,000 | 7,000 | +2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX 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 107 vs 124), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($104,673 vs $95,161 equivalent). Houston, 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.