Product Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Product Manager Salary: Houston, TX vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Product Managers in Houston, TX and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$128,000 vs $145,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$119,626 vs $116,935
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$110,535 vs $108,048
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $128,000 | $145,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $96,000 | $109,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $169,000 | $191,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $211,000 | $238,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 124 | -17 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $119,626▲ | $116,935 | +$2,691 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $118,272 | $133,980▲ | -$15,708 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $110,535▲ | $108,048 | +$2,487 |
| Total Employment | 5,000 | 7,000 | -2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $17,000 more (median: $128,000 vs $145,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 124), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($119,626 vs $116,935 equivalent). Houston, 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.