Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: El Paso, TX vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in El Paso, TX and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$188,000 vs $225,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ El Paso, TX
$221,176 vs $181,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ El Paso, TX
$204,367 vs $167,661
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $188,000 | $225,000▲ | -$37,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $141,000 | $168,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $246,000 | $295,000▲ | -$49,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $306,000 | $368,000▲ | -$62,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 124 | -39 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $221,176▲ | $181,452 | +$39,724 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $173,712 | $207,900▲ | -$34,188 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $204,367▲ | $167,661 | +$36,706 |
| Total Employment | 3,000 | 6,000 | -3,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $37,000 more (median: $188,000 vs $225,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 124), El Paso, TX provides better purchasing power ($221,176 vs $181,452 equivalent). El Paso, 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.