Tax Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Tax Manager Salary: Indianapolis, IN vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Tax Managers in Indianapolis, IN and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$86,000 vs $112,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$95,556 vs $90,323
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$85,512 vs $83,458
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $86,000 | $112,000▲ | -$26,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $66,220 | $86,240▲ | -$20,020 |
| 75th Percentile | $110,080 | $143,360▲ | -$33,280 |
| 90th Percentile | $137,600 | $179,200▲ | -$41,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 124 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 3.15% | 0%▲ | +3.15% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $95,556▲ | $90,323 | +$5,233 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $76,961 | $103,488▲ | -$26,527 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $85,512▲ | $83,458 | +$2,054 |
| Total Employment | 12,000 | 30,400 | -18,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Indianapolis, IN minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $26,000 more (median: $86,000 vs $112,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 124), Indianapolis, IN provides better purchasing power ($95,556 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.