Project Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Project Manager Salary: El Paso, TX vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Project Managers in El Paso, TX and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$63,000 vs $101,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$74,118 vs $81,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$68,485 vs $75,261
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $63,000 | $101,000▲ | -$38,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,510 | $77,770▲ | -$29,260 |
| 75th Percentile | $80,640 | $129,280▲ | -$48,640 |
| 90th Percentile | $100,800 | $161,600▲ | -$60,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 124 | -39 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $74,118 | $81,452▲ | -$7,334 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $58,212 | $93,324▲ | -$35,112 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $68,485 | $75,261▲ | -$6,776 |
| Total Employment | 4,800 | 30,400 | -25,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $38,000 more (median: $63,000 vs $101,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($74,118 vs $81,452 equivalent). El Paso, 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.