Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Houston, TX vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Houston, TX and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$220,000 vs $225,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$205,607 vs $181,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$189,981 vs $167,661
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $220,000 | $225,000▲ | -$5,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $165,000 | $168,000▲ | -$3,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $288,000 | $295,000▲ | -$7,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $358,000 | $368,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 124 | -17 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $205,607▲ | $181,452 | +$24,155 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $203,280 | $207,900▲ | -$4,620 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $189,981▲ | $167,661 | +$22,320 |
| Total Employment | 14,000 | 6,000 | +8,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $5,000 more (median: $220,000 vs $225,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 124), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($205,607 vs $181,452 equivalent). Houston, 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.