Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Boston, MA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Boston, MA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$252,000 vs $225,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$155,556 vs $181,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$136,547 vs $167,661
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $252,000▲ | $225,000 | +$27,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $190,000▲ | $168,000 | +$22,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $330,000▲ | $295,000 | +$35,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $410,000▲ | $368,000 | +$42,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 124 | +38 |
| State Income Tax | 5% | 0%▲ | +5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $155,556 | $181,452▲ | -$25,896 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $221,206▲ | $207,900 | +$13,306 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $136,547 | $167,661▲ | -$31,114 |
| Total Employment | 14,000 | 6,000 | +8,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $27,000 more (median: $252,000 vs $225,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($155,556 vs $181,452 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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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.