Software Developer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Software Developer Salary: Nashville, TN vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Software Developers in Nashville, TN and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$118,000 vs $140,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$107,273 vs $112,903
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$99,120 vs $104,323
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $118,000 | $140,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $90,000 | $108,000▲ | -$18,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $152,000 | $182,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $188,000 | $225,000▲ | -$37,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 124 | -14 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $107,273 | $112,903▲ | -$5,630 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $109,032 | $129,360▲ | -$20,328 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $99,120 | $104,323▲ | -$5,203 |
| Total Employment | 18,000 | 38,000 | -20,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $22,000 more (median: $118,000 vs $140,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($107,273 vs $112,903 equivalent). Nashville, TN 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.