Nurse Practitioner · Salary Comparison · 2026
Nurse Practitioner Salary: Houston, TX vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Nurse Practitioners in Houston, TX and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$110,000 vs $138,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$102,804 vs $85,185
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$94,991 vs $74,775
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $110,000 | $138,000▲ | -$28,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $85,000 | $107,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $141,000 | $177,000▲ | -$36,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $171,000 | $214,000▲ | -$43,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 162 | -55 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $102,804▲ | $85,185 | +$17,619 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $101,640 | $121,136▲ | -$19,496 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $94,991▲ | $74,775 | +$20,216 |
| Total Employment | 10,000 | 9,000 | +1,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $28,000 more (median: $110,000 vs $138,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 162), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($102,804 vs $85,185 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.