Nurse Practitioner · Salary Comparison · 2026
Nurse Practitioner Salary: Chicago, IL vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Nurse Practitioners in Chicago, IL and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$115,000 vs $118,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$107,477 vs $95,161
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$94,393 vs $87,929
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $115,000 | $118,000▲ | -$3,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $89,000 | $91,000▲ | -$2,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $147,000 | $151,000▲ | -$4,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $178,000 | $183,000▲ | -$5,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 124 | -17 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95% | 0%▲ | +4.95% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $107,477▲ | $95,161 | +$12,316 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $101,000 | $109,032▲ | -$8,032 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $94,393▲ | $87,929 | +$6,464 |
| Total Employment | 10,000 | 5,000 | +5,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $3,000 more (median: $115,000 vs $118,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 124), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($107,477 vs $95,161 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.