Lawyer Salary

Duncanville vs Houston: Lawyer Salary (2026)

Compare lawyer salaries between Duncanville, TX and Houston, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Duncanville, TX
$131,670
$63.30/hr
Houston, TX
$165,405
$79.52/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDuncanville, TXHouston, TX
Median Salary$131,670$165,405
Hourly Rate$63.30$79.52
Entry Level (P10)$76,368$83,980
25th Percentile$94,802$110,186
75th Percentile$168,538$255,395
Top Earner (P90)$204,088$380,187
Total Employed816,810
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Duncanville ($131,670) and Houston ($165,405) lawyer salaries.DuncanvilleHoustonMedian Salary$131,670$165,405Entry Level (P10)$76,368$83,980Top Earner (P90)$204,088$380,187US Median $167,174

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for lawyers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Duncanville.

The salary gap between Duncanville and Houston is $33,735 (25.62%). Houston's median is -1.06% compared to the US national median of $167,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Duncanville spans $127,720,Houston spans $296,207. Houston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced lawyers.

Duncanville
P10 (Entry)$76,368
P25$94,802
Median$131,670
P75$168,538
P90 (Top)$204,088
Houston
P10 (Entry)$83,980
P25$110,186
Median$165,405
P75$255,395
P90 (Top)$380,187

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($167,704 effective) pays 22.27% more than Duncanville ($137,156 effective).

Duncanville
Nominal: $131,670
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $137,156
Houston
Nominal: $165,405
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $167,704

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Duncanville if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($165,405/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($380,187)
  • Larger job market (16,810 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $167,704)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, lawyer salaries in Duncanville grew -12.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 16.3% growth in Houston over the same period.

Duncanville, TX

+-12.7%

$144,134 (2024) → $125,759 (2025)

Houston, TX

+16.3%

$135,830 (2019) → $157,980 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays lawyers more: Duncanville or Houston?

Houston has a higher median lawyer salary at $165,405/year, compared to Duncanville at $131,670/year — a difference of $33,735 (25.62%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Duncanville and Houston?

Duncanville lawyers earn $63.30/hr while Houston hygienists earn $79.52/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Duncanville to Houston as a lawyer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Duncanville and Houston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Duncanville = $137,156, Houston = $167,704), job availability (8 vs 16,810 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level lawyers earn in Duncanville vs Houston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) lawyers earn $76,368 in Duncanville and $83,980 in Houston. The Houston area offers higher starting salaries.

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Written by Alexandra Chen, JD

Career Analyst

Alexandra has 10 years of experience in corporate law. She specializes in mergers and acquisitions. Alexandra works at a mid-sized law firm in New York City.

Clinically reviewed by Daniel Martinez, JDData verified by Priya Patel, JD

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.70% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Alexandra Chen, JD, a licensed lawyer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov