Project Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Project Manager Salary: Washington, DC vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Project Managers in Washington, DC and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Washington, DC
$109,000 vs $101,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$71,711 vs $81,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$61,953 vs $75,261
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $109,000▲ | $101,000 | +$8,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $83,930▲ | $77,770 | +$6,160 |
| 75th Percentile | $139,520▲ | $129,280 | +$10,240 |
| 90th Percentile | $174,400▲ | $161,600 | +$12,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 124 | +28 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5% | 0%▲ | +6.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $71,711 | $81,452▲ | -$9,741 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $94,169▲ | $93,324 | +$845 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $61,953 | $75,261▲ | -$13,308 |
| Total Employment | 36,000 | 30,400 | +5,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Washington, DC pays $8,000 more (median: $109,000 vs $101,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($71,711 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.