Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Detroit, MI vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in Detroit, MI and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$32,000 vs $42,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Detroit, MI
$35,955 vs $33,871
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Detroit, MI
$31,810 vs $31,297
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $32,000 | $42,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $24,640 | $32,340▲ | -$7,700 |
| 75th Percentile | $40,960 | $53,760▲ | -$12,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $51,200 | $67,200▲ | -$16,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 89 | 124 | -35 |
| State Income Tax | 4.25% | 0%▲ | +4.25% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $35,955▲ | $33,871 | +$2,084 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $28,311 | $38,808▲ | -$10,497 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $31,810▲ | $31,297 | +$513 |
| Total Employment | 37,500 | 95,000 | -57,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Detroit, MI minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $10,000 more (median: $32,000 vs $42,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 89 vs 124), Detroit, MI provides better purchasing power ($35,955 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.