Nurse Practitioner · Salary Comparison · 2026
Nurse Practitioner Salary: Richmond, VA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Nurse Practitioners in Richmond, VA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$98,000 vs $118,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$97,030 vs $95,161
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$84,500 vs $87,929
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $98,000 | $118,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $76,000 | $91,000▲ | -$15,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $125,000 | $151,000▲ | -$26,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $152,000 | $183,000▲ | -$31,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 124 | -23 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75% | 0%▲ | +5.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $97,030▲ | $95,161 | +$1,869 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $85,345 | $109,032▲ | -$23,687 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $84,500 | $87,929▲ | -$3,429 |
| Total Employment | 4,000 | 5,000 | -1,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $20,000 more (median: $98,000 vs $118,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 124), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($97,030 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.