Software Developer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Software Developer Salary: Louisville, KY vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Software Developers in Louisville, KY and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$100,000 vs $140,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$114,943 vs $112,903
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$101,959 vs $104,323
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $100,000 | $140,000▲ | -$40,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $76,000 | $108,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,000 | $182,000▲ | -$54,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $160,000 | $225,000▲ | -$65,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 124 | -37 |
| State Income Tax | 4% | 0%▲ | +4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $114,943▲ | $112,903 | +$2,040 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $88,704 | $129,360▲ | -$40,656 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $101,959 | $104,323▲ | -$2,364 |
| Total Employment | 10,000 | 38,000 | -28,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Louisville, KY minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $40,000 more (median: $100,000 vs $140,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 124), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($114,943 vs $112,903 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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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.