Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: Portland, OR vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in Portland, OR and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Portland, OR
$84,000 vs $84,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$64,615 vs $67,742
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$54,481 vs $62,594
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Portland, OR | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $84,000▲ | $84,000 | — |
| 25th Percentile | $64,680▲ | $64,680 | — |
| 75th Percentile | $107,520▲ | $107,520 | — |
| 90th Percentile | $134,400▲ | $134,400 | — |
| Cost of Living Index | 130 | 124 | +6 |
| State Income Tax | 8.75% | 0%▲ | +8.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $64,615 | $67,742▲ | -$3,127 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $70,825 | $77,616▲ | -$6,791 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $54,481 | $62,594▲ | -$8,113 |
| Total Employment | 30,000 | 57,000 | -27,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Portland, OR minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Portland, OR pays $0 more (median: $84,000 vs $84,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 130 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($64,615 vs $67,742 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.