Tax Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Tax Manager Salary: Raleigh, NC vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Tax Managers in Raleigh, NC and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$100,000 vs $112,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$97,087 vs $90,323
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$85,672 vs $83,458
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $100,000 | $112,000▲ | -$12,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $77,000 | $86,240▲ | -$9,240 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,000 | $143,360▲ | -$15,360 |
| 90th Percentile | $160,000 | $179,200▲ | -$19,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 124 | -21 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5% | 0%▲ | +4.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $97,087▲ | $90,323 | +$6,764 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $88,242 | $103,488▲ | -$15,246 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $85,672▲ | $83,458 | +$2,214 |
| Total Employment | 17,600 | 30,400 | -12,800 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $12,000 more (median: $100,000 vs $112,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 124), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($97,087 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.