Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Houston, TX vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in Houston, TX and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$38,000 vs $42,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$35,514 vs $33,871
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$32,815 vs $31,297
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $38,000 | $42,000▲ | -$4,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $29,260 | $32,340▲ | -$3,080 |
| 75th Percentile | $48,640 | $53,760▲ | -$5,120 |
| 90th Percentile | $60,800 | $67,200▲ | -$6,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 124 | -17 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $35,514▲ | $33,871 | +$1,643 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $35,112 | $38,808▲ | -$3,696 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $32,815▲ | $31,297 | +$1,518 |
| Total Employment | 70,000 | 95,000 | -25,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $4,000 more (median: $38,000 vs $42,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 124), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($35,514 vs $33,871 equivalent). Houston, 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.