Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Charlotte, NC vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Charlotte, NC and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$208,000 vs $225,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Charlotte, NC
$203,922 vs $181,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Charlotte, NC
$179,944 vs $167,661
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $208,000 | $225,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $156,000 | $168,000▲ | -$12,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $272,000 | $295,000▲ | -$23,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $338,000 | $368,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 124 | -22 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5% | 0%▲ | +4.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $203,922▲ | $181,452 | +$22,470 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $183,543 | $207,900▲ | -$24,357 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $179,944▲ | $167,661 | +$12,283 |
| Total Employment | 7,000 | 6,000 | +1,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Charlotte, NC minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $17,000 more (median: $208,000 vs $225,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 102 vs 124), Charlotte, NC provides better purchasing power ($203,922 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.