Nurse Practitioner · Salary Comparison · 2026
Nurse Practitioner Salary: Houston, TX vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Nurse Practitioners in Houston, TX and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$110,000 vs $118,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$102,804 vs $95,161
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$94,991 vs $87,929
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $110,000 | $118,000▲ | -$8,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $85,000 | $91,000▲ | -$6,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $141,000 | $151,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $171,000 | $183,000▲ | -$12,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 124 | -17 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $102,804▲ | $95,161 | +$7,643 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $101,640 | $109,032▲ | -$7,392 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $94,991▲ | $87,929 | +$7,062 |
| Total Employment | 10,000 | 5,000 | +5,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $8,000 more (median: $110,000 vs $118,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 124), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($102,804 vs $95,161 equivalent). Houston, 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.