Nurse Practitioner · Salary Comparison · 2026
Nurse Practitioner Salary: Austin, TX vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Nurse Practitioners in Austin, TX and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$118,000 vs $138,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$95,161 vs $85,185
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$87,929 vs $74,775
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $118,000 | $138,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $91,000 | $107,000▲ | -$16,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $151,000 | $177,000▲ | -$26,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $183,000 | $214,000▲ | -$31,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 162 | -38 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $95,161▲ | $85,185 | +$9,976 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $109,032 | $121,136▲ | -$12,104 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $87,929▲ | $74,775 | +$13,154 |
| Total Employment | 5,000 | 9,000 | -4,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $20,000 more (median: $118,000 vs $138,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 162), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($95,161 vs $85,185 equivalent). Austin, TX 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.