Dental Hygienist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Dental Hygienist Salary: Nashville, TN vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Dental Hygienists in Nashville, TN and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$53,000 vs $63,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$48,182 vs $50,806
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$44,520 vs $46,945
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $53,000 | $63,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $40,810 | $48,510▲ | -$7,700 |
| 75th Percentile | $67,840 | $80,640▲ | -$12,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $84,800 | $100,800▲ | -$16,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 124 | -14 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $48,182 | $50,806▲ | -$2,624 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $48,972 | $58,212▲ | -$9,240 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $44,520 | $46,945▲ | -$2,425 |
| Total Employment | 45,000 | 95,000 | -50,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $10,000 more (median: $53,000 vs $63,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($48,182 vs $50,806 equivalent). Nashville, TN 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.