Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Austin, TX vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in Austin, TX and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$42,000 vs $41,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$33,871 vs $32,031
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$31,297 vs $28,295
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $42,000▲ | $41,000 | +$1,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $32,340▲ | $31,570 | +$770 |
| 75th Percentile | $53,760▲ | $52,480 | +$1,280 |
| 90th Percentile | $67,200▲ | $65,600 | +$1,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 128 | -4 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 4.4% | -4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $33,871▲ | $32,031 | +$1,840 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $38,808▲ | $36,217 | +$2,591 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $31,297▲ | $28,295 | +$3,002 |
| Total Employment | 95,000 | 70,000 | +25,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $1,000 more (median: $42,000 vs $41,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 128), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($33,871 vs $32,031 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.