Project Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Project Manager Salary: Raleigh, NC vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Project Managers in Raleigh, NC and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$90,000 vs $101,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$87,379 vs $81,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$77,105 vs $75,261
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $90,000 | $101,000▲ | -$11,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $69,300 | $77,770▲ | -$8,470 |
| 75th Percentile | $115,200 | $129,280▲ | -$14,080 |
| 90th Percentile | $144,000 | $161,600▲ | -$17,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 124 | -21 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5% | 0%▲ | +4.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $87,379▲ | $81,452 | +$5,927 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $79,418 | $93,324▲ | -$13,906 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $77,105▲ | $75,261 | +$1,844 |
| Total Employment | 17,600 | 30,400 | -12,800 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $11,000 more (median: $90,000 vs $101,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 124), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($87,379 vs $81,452 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.