Tax Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Tax Manager Salary: Salt Lake City, UT vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Tax Managers in Salt Lake City, UT and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$96,000 vs $112,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$85,714 vs $90,323
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$75,517 vs $83,458
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $96,000 | $112,000▲ | -$16,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,920 | $86,240▲ | -$12,320 |
| 75th Percentile | $122,880 | $143,360▲ | -$20,480 |
| 90th Percentile | $153,600 | $179,200▲ | -$25,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 124 | -12 |
| State Income Tax | 4.65% | 0%▲ | +4.65% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $85,714 | $90,323▲ | -$4,609 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $84,579 | $103,488▲ | -$18,909 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $75,517 | $83,458▲ | -$7,941 |
| Total Employment | 14,400 | 30,400 | -16,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Salt Lake City, UT minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $16,000 more (median: $96,000 vs $112,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($85,714 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.