Marketing Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Marketing Manager Salary: Raleigh, NC vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Marketing Managers in Raleigh, NC and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$102,000 vs $118,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$99,029 vs $95,161
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$87,385 vs $87,929
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $102,000 | $118,000▲ | -$16,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $76,000 | $87,000▲ | -$11,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $134,000 | $155,000▲ | -$21,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $168,000 | $194,000▲ | -$26,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 124 | -21 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5% | 0%▲ | +4.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $99,029▲ | $95,161 | +$3,868 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $90,007 | $109,032▲ | -$19,025 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $87,385 | $87,929▲ | -$544 |
| Total Employment | 5,000 | 7,000 | -2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $16,000 more (median: $102,000 vs $118,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 124), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($99,029 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.