Tax Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Tax Manager Salary: Seattle, WA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Tax Managers in Seattle, WA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$136,000 vs $112,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$83,951 vs $90,323
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$77,570 vs $83,458
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $136,000▲ | $112,000 | +$24,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $104,720▲ | $86,240 | +$18,480 |
| 75th Percentile | $174,080▲ | $143,360 | +$30,720 |
| 90th Percentile | $217,600▲ | $179,200 | +$38,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 124 | +38 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $83,951 | $90,323▲ | -$6,372 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $125,664▲ | $103,488 | +$22,176 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $77,570 | $83,458▲ | -$5,888 |
| Total Employment | 46,400 | 30,400 | +16,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $24,000 more (median: $136,000 vs $112,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($83,951 vs $90,323 equivalent). Seattle, WA 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.