Nurse Practitioner · Salary Comparison · 2026
Nurse Practitioner Salary: Austin, TX vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Nurse Practitioners in Austin, TX and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$118,000 vs $145,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$95,161 vs $89,506
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$87,929 vs $82,704
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $118,000 | $145,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $91,000 | $112,000▲ | -$21,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $151,000 | $186,000▲ | -$35,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $183,000 | $225,000▲ | -$42,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 162 | -38 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $95,161▲ | $89,506 | +$5,655 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $109,032 | $133,980▲ | -$24,948 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $87,929▲ | $82,704 | +$5,225 |
| Total Employment | 5,000 | 7,000 | -2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $27,000 more (median: $118,000 vs $145,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 162), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($95,161 vs $89,506 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.