Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: El Paso, TX vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in El Paso, TX and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$26,000 vs $42,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$30,588 vs $33,871
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$28,264 vs $31,297
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $26,000 | $42,000▲ | -$16,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $20,020 | $32,340▲ | -$12,320 |
| 75th Percentile | $33,280 | $53,760▲ | -$20,480 |
| 90th Percentile | $41,600 | $67,200▲ | -$25,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 124 | -39 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $30,588 | $33,871▲ | -$3,283 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $24,024 | $38,808▲ | -$14,784 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $28,264 | $31,297▲ | -$3,033 |
| Total Employment | 15,000 | 95,000 | -80,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $16,000 more (median: $26,000 vs $42,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($30,588 vs $33,871 equivalent). El Paso, 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.