Paralegal · Salary Comparison · 2026
Paralegal Salary: Portland, OR vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Paralegals in Portland, OR and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Portland, OR
$53,000 vs $53,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$40,769 vs $42,742
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$34,375 vs $39,494
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Portland, OR | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $53,000▲ | $53,000 | — |
| 25th Percentile | $40,810▲ | $40,810 | — |
| 75th Percentile | $67,840▲ | $67,840 | — |
| 90th Percentile | $84,800▲ | $84,800 | — |
| Cost of Living Index | 130 | 124 | +6 |
| State Income Tax | 8.75% | 0%▲ | +8.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $40,769 | $42,742▲ | -$1,973 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $44,687 | $48,972▲ | -$4,285 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $34,375 | $39,494▲ | -$5,119 |
| Total Employment | 50,000 | 95,000 | -45,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Portland, OR minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Portland, OR pays $0 more (median: $53,000 vs $53,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 130 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($40,769 vs $42,742 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.