Sales Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Sales Manager Salary: Raleigh, NC vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Sales Managers in Raleigh, NC and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$103,000 vs $115,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$100,000 vs $92,742
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$88,242 vs $85,694
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $103,000 | $115,000▲ | -$12,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $79,310 | $88,550▲ | -$9,240 |
| 75th Percentile | $131,840 | $147,200▲ | -$15,360 |
| 90th Percentile | $164,800 | $184,000▲ | -$19,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 124 | -21 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5% | 0%▲ | +4.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $100,000▲ | $92,742 | +$7,258 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $90,889 | $106,260▲ | -$15,371 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $88,242▲ | $85,694 | +$2,548 |
| 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 $12,000 more (median: $103,000 vs $115,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 124), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($100,000 vs $92,742 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.