Nurse Practitioner · Salary Comparison · 2026
Nurse Practitioner Salary: Austin, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Nurse Practitioners in Austin, TX and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$118,000 vs $155,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$95,161 vs $83,333
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$87,929 vs $69,839
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $118,000 | $155,000▲ | -$37,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $91,000 | $120,000▲ | -$29,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $151,000 | $198,000▲ | -$47,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $183,000 | $240,000▲ | -$57,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 186 | -62 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $95,161▲ | $83,333 | +$11,828 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $109,032 | $129,901▲ | -$20,869 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $87,929▲ | $69,839 | +$18,090 |
| Total Employment | 5,000 | 5,000 | — |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $37,000 more (median: $118,000 vs $155,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 186), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($95,161 vs $83,333 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.