Nurse Practitioner · Salary Comparison · 2026
Nurse Practitioner Salary: Austin, TX vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Nurse Practitioners in Austin, TX and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Denver, CO
$118,000 vs $120,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$95,161 vs $93,750
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$87,929 vs $82,813
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $118,000 | $120,000▲ | -$2,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $91,000 | $93,000▲ | -$2,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $151,000 | $154,000▲ | -$3,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $183,000 | $186,000▲ | -$3,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 128 | -4 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 4.4% | -4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $95,161▲ | $93,750 | +$1,411 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $109,032▲ | $106,001 | +$3,031 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $87,929▲ | $82,813 | +$5,116 |
| Total Employment | 5,000 | 4,000 | +1,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Denver, CO pays $2,000 more (median: $118,000 vs $120,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 128), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($95,161 vs $93,750 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.