Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Louisville, KY vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in Louisville, KY and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$30,000 vs $42,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$34,483 vs $33,871
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$30,587 vs $31,297
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $30,000 | $42,000▲ | -$12,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $23,100 | $32,340▲ | -$9,240 |
| 75th Percentile | $38,400 | $53,760▲ | -$15,360 |
| 90th Percentile | $48,000 | $67,200▲ | -$19,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 124 | -37 |
| State Income Tax | 4% | 0%▲ | +4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $34,483▲ | $33,871 | +$612 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $26,611 | $38,808▲ | -$12,197 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $30,587 | $31,297▲ | -$710 |
| Total Employment | 25,000 | 95,000 | -70,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Louisville, KY minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $12,000 more (median: $30,000 vs $42,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 124), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($34,483 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.