Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Austin, TX vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Austin, TX and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Denver, CO
$225,000 vs $228,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$181,452 vs $178,125
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$167,661 vs $157,345
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $225,000 | $228,000▲ | -$3,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $168,000 | $172,000▲ | -$4,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $295,000 | $298,000▲ | -$3,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $368,000 | $372,000▲ | -$4,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 128 | -4 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 4.4% | -4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $181,452▲ | $178,125 | +$3,327 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $207,900▲ | $201,402 | +$6,498 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $167,661▲ | $157,345 | +$10,316 |
| Total Employment | 6,000 | 6,000 | — |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Denver, CO pays $3,000 more (median: $225,000 vs $228,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 128), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($181,452 vs $178,125 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
4More Physician City Comparisons
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.