Product Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Product Manager Salary: Louisville, KY vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Product Managers in Louisville, KY and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$95,000 vs $145,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$109,195 vs $116,935
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$96,861 vs $108,048
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $95,000 | $145,000▲ | -$50,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,000 | $109,000▲ | -$38,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $125,000 | $191,000▲ | -$66,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $156,000 | $238,000▲ | -$82,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 124 | -37 |
| State Income Tax | 4% | 0%▲ | +4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $109,195 | $116,935▲ | -$7,740 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $84,269 | $133,980▲ | -$49,711 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $96,861 | $108,048▲ | -$11,187 |
| Total Employment | 2,000 | 7,000 | -5,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Louisville, KY minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $50,000 more (median: $95,000 vs $145,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($109,195 vs $116,935 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.