Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Houston, TX vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Houston, TX and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$220,000 vs $248,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$205,607 vs $153,086
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$189,981 vs $141,452
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $220,000 | $248,000▲ | -$28,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $165,000 | $186,000▲ | -$21,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $288,000 | $325,000▲ | -$37,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $358,000 | $402,000▲ | -$44,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 162 | -55 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $205,607▲ | $153,086 | +$52,521 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $203,280 | $229,152▲ | -$25,872 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $189,981▲ | $141,452 | +$48,529 |
| Total Employment | 14,000 | 9,000 | +5,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $28,000 more (median: $220,000 vs $248,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 162), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($205,607 vs $153,086 equivalent). Houston, 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.