Nurse Practitioner · Salary Comparison · 2026
Nurse Practitioner Salary: Phoenix, AZ vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Nurse Practitioners in Phoenix, AZ and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$108,000 vs $118,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$104,854 vs $95,161
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$94,463 vs $87,929
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $108,000 | $118,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $83,000 | $91,000▲ | -$8,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $138,000 | $151,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $168,000 | $183,000▲ | -$15,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 124 | -21 |
| State Income Tax | 2.5% | 0%▲ | +2.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $104,854▲ | $95,161 | +$9,693 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $97,297 | $109,032▲ | -$11,735 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $94,463▲ | $87,929 | +$6,534 |
| Total Employment | 7,000 | 5,000 | +2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Phoenix, AZ minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $10,000 more (median: $108,000 vs $118,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 124), Phoenix, AZ provides better purchasing power ($104,854 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.