Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Denver, CO vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Denver, CO and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Denver, CO
$228,000 vs $225,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$178,125 vs $181,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$157,345 vs $167,661
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Denver, CO | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $228,000▲ | $225,000 | +$3,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $172,000▲ | $168,000 | +$4,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $298,000▲ | $295,000 | +$3,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $372,000▲ | $368,000 | +$4,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 124 | +4 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% | 0%▲ | +4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $178,125 | $181,452▲ | -$3,327 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $201,402 | $207,900▲ | -$6,498 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $157,345 | $167,661▲ | -$10,316 |
| Total Employment | 6,000 | 6,000 | — |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Denver, CO minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Denver, CO pays $3,000 more (median: $228,000 vs $225,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 128 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($178,125 vs $181,452 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.