Paralegal · Salary Comparison · 2026
Paralegal Salary: Austin, TX vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Paralegals in Austin, TX and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$53,000 vs $51,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$42,742 vs $39,844
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$39,494 vs $35,196
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $53,000▲ | $51,000 | +$2,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $40,810▲ | $39,270 | +$1,540 |
| 75th Percentile | $67,840▲ | $65,280 | +$2,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $84,800▲ | $81,600 | +$3,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 128 | -4 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 4.4% | -4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $42,742▲ | $39,844 | +$2,898 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $48,972▲ | $45,051 | +$3,921 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $39,494▲ | $35,196 | +$4,298 |
| Total Employment | 95,000 | 70,000 | +25,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $2,000 more (median: $53,000 vs $51,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 128), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($42,742 vs $39,844 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.