Nurse Practitioner · Salary Comparison · 2026
Nurse Practitioner Salary: Washington, DC vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Nurse Practitioners in Washington, DC and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Washington, DC
$135,000 vs $118,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$88,816 vs $95,161
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$76,732 vs $87,929
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $135,000▲ | $118,000 | +$17,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $104,000▲ | $91,000 | +$13,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $173,000▲ | $151,000 | +$22,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $210,000▲ | $183,000 | +$27,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 124 | +28 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5% | 0%▲ | +6.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $88,816 | $95,161▲ | -$6,345 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $116,632▲ | $109,032 | +$7,600 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $76,732 | $87,929▲ | -$11,197 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 5,000 | +3,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Washington, DC pays $17,000 more (median: $135,000 vs $118,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($88,816 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.