Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Louisville, KY vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Louisville, KY and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$200,000 vs $225,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$229,885 vs $181,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Louisville, KY
$203,917 vs $167,661
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $200,000 | $225,000▲ | -$25,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $150,000 | $168,000▲ | -$18,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $262,000 | $295,000▲ | -$33,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $326,000 | $368,000▲ | -$42,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 124 | -37 |
| State Income Tax | 4% | 0%▲ | +4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $229,885▲ | $181,452 | +$48,433 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $177,408 | $207,900▲ | -$30,492 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $203,917▲ | $167,661 | +$36,256 |
| Total Employment | 6,000 | 6,000 | — |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Louisville, KY minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $25,000 more (median: $200,000 vs $225,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 124), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($229,885 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.