Salary Comparison

Enterprise Architect Salary:
Austin, TX vs Houston, TX

Side-by-side gross salary, after-tax take-home pay, and purchasing power comparison. Updated June 2026.

Austin, TX
$205,278
/ year
+10%
difference
Houston, TX
$186,286
/ year
Bottom line: Houston offers better purchasing power despite Austin paying more gross. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Austin
Houston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$205,278โœ“ higher
$186,286
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$132,752โœ“ higher
$120,470
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$317,426โœ“ higher
$288,058
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$137,411โœ“ higher
$124,496
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$183,284
$190,088โœ“ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.12ร—
0.98ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$132,752โœ“ higher
$120,470
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$317,426โœ“ higher
$288,058

What if you move from Austin to Houston?

Gross salary change
$18,992
10% decrease
Take-home change
$12,915
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$6,804
equivalent real income

Take-home pay is estimated using 2024 US federal tax brackets (single filer) + 7.65% FICA, or a blended international effective rate. Purchasing power converts gross salary to an equivalent in a US median cost-of-living city (index 1.00ร—). Full methodology โ†’

Salary Range Comparison

Austin, TX$205,278
P10: $132,752Median: $205,278P90: $317,426
Houston, TX$186,286
P10: $120,470Median: $186,286P90: $288,058

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a Enterprise Architect earn more in Austin or Houston?

The median Enterprise Architect salary in Austin, TX is $205,278/yr compared to $186,286/yr in Houston, TX. Austin pays 10% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Enterprise Architect salary worth more in Austin or Houston after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Austin salary has the purchasing power of $183,284/yr in a median-cost city, vs $190,088/yr for Houston. Houston offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a Enterprise Architect in Austin vs Houston?

After estimated taxes, a Enterprise Architect in Austin, TX takes home approximately $137,411/yr, vs $124,496/yr in Houston, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.