Nurse Practitioner · Salary Comparison · 2026
Nurse Practitioner Salary: Salt Lake City, UT vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Nurse Practitioners in Salt Lake City, UT and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$100,000 vs $118,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$89,286 vs $95,161
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$78,663 vs $87,929
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $100,000 | $118,000▲ | -$18,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $77,000 | $91,000▲ | -$14,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,000 | $151,000▲ | -$23,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $155,000 | $183,000▲ | -$28,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 124 | -12 |
| State Income Tax | 4.65% | 0%▲ | +4.65% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $89,286 | $95,161▲ | -$5,875 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $88,103 | $109,032▲ | -$20,929 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $78,663 | $87,929▲ | -$9,266 |
| Total Employment | 4,000 | 5,000 | -1,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Salt Lake City, UT minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $18,000 more (median: $100,000 vs $118,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($89,286 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.