Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Memphis, TN vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in Memphis, TN and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$28,000 vs $42,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$33,735 vs $33,871
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$31,171 vs $31,297
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $28,000 | $42,000▲ | -$14,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $21,560 | $32,340▲ | -$10,780 |
| 75th Percentile | $35,840 | $53,760▲ | -$17,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $44,800 | $67,200▲ | -$22,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 124 | -41 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $33,735 | $33,871▲ | -$136 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $25,872 | $38,808▲ | -$12,936 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $31,171 | $31,297▲ | -$126 |
| Total Employment | 20,000 | 95,000 | -75,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $14,000 more (median: $28,000 vs $42,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($33,735 vs $33,871 equivalent). Memphis, TN 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.