Tax Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Tax Manager Salary: Chicago, IL vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Tax Managers in Chicago, IL and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$102,000 vs $112,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$95,327 vs $90,323
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$83,722 vs $83,458
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $102,000 | $112,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,540 | $86,240▲ | -$7,700 |
| 75th Percentile | $130,560 | $143,360▲ | -$12,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $163,200 | $179,200▲ | -$16,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 124 | -17 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95% | 0%▲ | +4.95% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $95,327▲ | $90,323 | +$5,004 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $89,583 | $103,488▲ | -$13,905 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $83,722▲ | $83,458 | +$264 |
| Total Employment | 28,000 | 30,400 | -2,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $10,000 more (median: $102,000 vs $112,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 124), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($95,327 vs $90,323 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.