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