Network Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Network Engineer Salary: Louisville, KY vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Network Engineers in Louisville, KY and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$68,000 vs $95,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$78,161 vs $76,613
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$69,332 vs $70,790
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $68,000 | $95,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $52,360 | $73,150▲ | -$20,790 |
| 75th Percentile | $87,040 | $121,600▲ | -$34,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $108,800 | $152,000▲ | -$43,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 124 | -37 |
| State Income Tax | 4% | 0%▲ | +4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $78,161▲ | $76,613 | +$1,548 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $60,319 | $87,780▲ | -$27,461 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $69,332 | $70,790▲ | -$1,458 |
| Total Employment | 15,000 | 57,000 | -42,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Louisville, KY minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $27,000 more (median: $68,000 vs $95,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 124), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($78,161 vs $76,613 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.