Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Detroit, MI vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Detroit, MI and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$205,000 vs $225,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Detroit, MI
$230,337 vs $181,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Detroit, MI
$203,787 vs $167,661
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $205,000 | $225,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $154,000 | $168,000▲ | -$14,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $268,000 | $295,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $334,000 | $368,000▲ | -$34,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 89 | 124 | -35 |
| State Income Tax | 4.25% | 0%▲ | +4.25% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $230,337▲ | $181,452 | +$48,885 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $181,370 | $207,900▲ | -$26,530 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $203,787▲ | $167,661 | +$36,126 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 6,000 | +2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Detroit, MI minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $20,000 more (median: $205,000 vs $225,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 89 vs 124), Detroit, MI provides better purchasing power ($230,337 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.