Tax Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Tax Manager Salary: Austin, TX vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Tax Managers in Austin, TX and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$112,000 vs $124,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$90,323 vs $76,543
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$83,458 vs $67,190
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $112,000 | $124,000▲ | -$12,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $86,240 | $95,480▲ | -$9,240 |
| 75th Percentile | $143,360 | $158,720▲ | -$15,360 |
| 90th Percentile | $179,200 | $198,400▲ | -$19,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 162 | -38 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $90,323▲ | $76,543 | +$13,780 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $103,488 | $108,847▲ | -$5,359 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $83,458▲ | $67,190 | +$16,268 |
| Total Employment | 30,400 | 33,600 | -3,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $12,000 more (median: $112,000 vs $124,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 162), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($90,323 vs $76,543 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.