Network Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Network Engineer Salary: Austin, TX vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Network Engineers in Austin, TX and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$95,000 vs $92,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$76,613 vs $71,875
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$70,790 vs $63,491
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $95,000▲ | $92,000 | +$3,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,150▲ | $70,840 | +$2,310 |
| 75th Percentile | $121,600▲ | $117,760 | +$3,840 |
| 90th Percentile | $152,000▲ | $147,200 | +$4,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 128 | -4 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 4.4% | -4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $76,613▲ | $71,875 | +$4,738 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $87,780▲ | $81,268 | +$6,512 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $70,790▲ | $63,491 | +$7,299 |
| Total Employment | 57,000 | 42,000 | +15,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $3,000 more (median: $95,000 vs $92,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 128), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($76,613 vs $71,875 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.