Tax Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Tax Manager Salary: Austin, TX vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Tax Managers in Austin, TX and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$112,000 vs $136,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$90,323 vs $83,951
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$83,458 vs $77,570
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $112,000 | $136,000▲ | -$24,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $86,240 | $104,720▲ | -$18,480 |
| 75th Percentile | $143,360 | $174,080▲ | -$30,720 |
| 90th Percentile | $179,200 | $217,600▲ | -$38,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 162 | -38 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $90,323▲ | $83,951 | +$6,372 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $103,488 | $125,664▲ | -$22,176 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $83,458▲ | $77,570 | +$5,888 |
| Total Employment | 30,400 | 46,400 | -16,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $24,000 more (median: $112,000 vs $136,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 162), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($90,323 vs $83,951 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.