Salary Comparison
Crushing: Austin vs Washington
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Austin, TX
$37,440/yr
Washington, DC
$56,420/yr
Our recommendation: Washington, DC
Washington offers $424 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.
Full Breakdown
Austin
Washington
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$37,440
$56,420
$18,980
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$2,278
$3,432
$1,154
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
105
132
-27 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,825
$3,555
$730
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,680
$2,180
$500
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$-547
$-123
$424
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
0.81×
0.97×
-0.16×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
2/10 (Tight)
3/10 (Tight)
-1
A vs B
Austin — Full Details
Washington — Full Details
Salary estimates based on BLS metro data. Cost of living from regional price indices. All figures are estimates; verify with employers before making decisions.