Network Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Network Engineer Salary: Richmond, VA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Network Engineers in Richmond, VA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$78,000 vs $95,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$77,228 vs $76,613
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$67,255 vs $70,790
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $78,000 | $95,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $60,060 | $73,150▲ | -$13,090 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,840 | $121,600▲ | -$21,760 |
| 90th Percentile | $124,800 | $152,000▲ | -$27,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 124 | -23 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75% | 0%▲ | +5.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $77,228▲ | $76,613 | +$615 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $67,928 | $87,780▲ | -$19,852 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $67,255 | $70,790▲ | -$3,535 |
| Total Employment | 21,000 | 57,000 | -36,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $17,000 more (median: $78,000 vs $95,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 124), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($77,228 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.