Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Columbus, OH vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in Columbus, OH and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$34,000 vs $42,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Columbus, OH
$37,363 vs $33,871
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Columbus, OH
$33,146 vs $31,297
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $34,000 | $42,000▲ | -$8,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $26,180 | $32,340▲ | -$6,160 |
| 75th Percentile | $43,520 | $53,760▲ | -$10,240 |
| 90th Percentile | $54,400 | $67,200▲ | -$12,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 124 | -33 |
| State Income Tax | 3.99% | 0%▲ | +3.99% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $37,363▲ | $33,871 | +$3,492 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $30,163 | $38,808▲ | -$8,645 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $33,146▲ | $31,297 | +$1,849 |
| Total Employment | 40,000 | 95,000 | -55,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Columbus, OH minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $8,000 more (median: $34,000 vs $42,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 91 vs 124), Columbus, OH provides better purchasing power ($37,363 vs $33,871 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.