Salary Guide · 2026
Texas Salary Guide (2026)
This guide explains how salaries are taxed in Texas, what take-home pay looks like at different income levels, and how cost of living affects real purchasing power across major cities.
Texas Income Snapshot
Individual median income
$42,500
-24% vs US median
Household median income
$73,035
US Census ACS 2023
Median take-home (annual)
$36,255
Eff. rate: 14.69%
Median monthly take-home
$3,021
Single filer, 2026
Income Tax Structure in Texas
Tax system: No state income tax
Texas levies no state income tax, meaning residents only pay federal income tax and payroll taxes. This significantly increases take-home pay compared to high-tax states, though property taxes tend to be higher.
Take-Home Pay at Popular Salary Levels
Single filer · Standard deduction · TX state tax · 2026 IRS brackets
| Gross salary | Federal tax | State tax | FICA | Take-home | Monthly | Eff. rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $5,094 | $0 | $4,590 | $50,316 | $4,193 | 16.14% |
| $80,000 | $8,954 | $0 | $6,120 | $64,926 | $5,411 | 18.84% |
| $100,000 | $13,354 | $0 | $7,650 | $78,996 | $6,583 | 21% |
| $150,000 | $24,914 | $0 | $11,475 | $113,611 | $9,468 | 24.26% |
Take-home as % of gross
Housing Affordability in Texas Cities
Based on $100,000 salary · Rent: HUD FMR 2026 · COL: C2ER/ACCRA
Houston
COL: 1.08× · 1BR rent: $1,400/mo
Rent burden: 21.3% of take-home
Is $100,000 enough in Houston? →Dallas
COL: 1.13× · 1BR rent: $1,500/mo
Rent burden: 22.8% of take-home
Is $100,000 enough in Dallas? →Austin
COL: 1.28× · 1BR rent: $1,800/mo
Rent burden: 27.3% of take-home
Is $100,000 enough in Austin? →San Antonio
COL: 1.00× · 1BR rent: $1,250/mo
Rent burden: 19.0% of take-home
Is $100,000 enough in San Antonio? →Fort Worth
COL: 1.08× · 1BR rent: $1,400/mo
Rent burden: 21.3% of take-home
Is $100,000 enough in Fort Worth? →El Paso
COL: 0.85× · 1BR rent: $950/mo
Rent burden: 14.4% of take-home
Is $100,000 enough in El Paso? →Popular Salary Guides for Texas
Is This Salary Enough in Texas?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is $100,000 a good salary in Texas?
A $100,000 salary in Texas yields approximately $78,996 per year ($6,583/month) after federal and state taxes. In most Texas cities, this is above the state individual median of $42,500 — generally a comfortable income.
How much state income tax do you pay in Texas?
Texas has No state income tax. For a $80,000 salary, the estimated state income tax is $0. Your effective rate depends on your income level, filing status, and deductions.
What salary is considered middle class in Texas?
The individual median income in Texas is $42,500 and the household median is $73,035 (Census ACS 2023). Middle-class income typically ranges from 67%–200% of the household median, roughly $48,933–$146,070 for a family.
Data Sources
- •Tax calculations: IRS federal tax tables
- •Payroll taxes: Social Security Administration
- •Salary data: Bureau of Labor Statistics
- •Rent data: HUD Fair Market Rents
Data updated monthly using government datasets.