Nurse Practitioner · Salary Comparison · 2026
Nurse Practitioner Salary: Portland, OR vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Nurse Practitioners in Portland, OR and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Portland, OR
$125,000 vs $118,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Portland, OR
$96,154 vs $95,161
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$81,072 vs $87,929
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Portland, OR | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $125,000▲ | $118,000 | +$7,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $97,000▲ | $91,000 | +$6,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $160,000▲ | $151,000 | +$9,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $194,000▲ | $183,000 | +$11,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 130 | 124 | +6 |
| State Income Tax | 8.75% | 0%▲ | +8.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $96,154▲ | $95,161 | +$993 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $105,394 | $109,032▲ | -$3,638 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $81,072 | $87,929▲ | -$6,857 |
| Total Employment | 5,000 | 5,000 | — |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Portland, OR minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Portland, OR pays $7,000 more (median: $125,000 vs $118,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 130 vs 124), Portland, OR provides better purchasing power ($96,154 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.