Tax Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Tax Manager Salary: Denver, CO vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Tax Managers in Denver, CO and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$108,000 vs $112,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$84,375 vs $90,323
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$74,532 vs $83,458
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Denver, CO | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $108,000 | $112,000▲ | -$4,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $83,160 | $86,240▲ | -$3,080 |
| 75th Percentile | $138,240 | $143,360▲ | -$5,120 |
| 90th Percentile | $172,800 | $179,200▲ | -$6,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 124 | +4 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% | 0%▲ | +4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $84,375 | $90,323▲ | -$5,948 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $95,401 | $103,488▲ | -$8,087 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $74,532 | $83,458▲ | -$8,926 |
| Total Employment | 22,400 | 30,400 | -8,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Denver, CO minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $4,000 more (median: $108,000 vs $112,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 128 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($84,375 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.