Nurse Practitioner · Salary Comparison · 2026
Nurse Practitioner Salary: El Paso, TX vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Nurse Practitioners in El Paso, TX and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$85,000 vs $118,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ El Paso, TX
$100,000 vs $95,161
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ El Paso, TX
$92,400 vs $87,929
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $85,000 | $118,000▲ | -$33,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $66,000 | $91,000▲ | -$25,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $109,000 | $151,000▲ | -$42,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $132,000 | $183,000▲ | -$51,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 124 | -39 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $100,000▲ | $95,161 | +$4,839 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $78,540 | $109,032▲ | -$30,492 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $92,400▲ | $87,929 | +$4,471 |
| Total Employment | 2,000 | 5,000 | -3,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $33,000 more (median: $85,000 vs $118,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 124), El Paso, TX provides better purchasing power ($100,000 vs $95,161 equivalent). El Paso, 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.