Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Memphis, TN vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Memphis, TN and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$195,000 vs $225,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$234,940 vs $181,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$217,084 vs $167,661
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $195,000 | $225,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $146,000 | $168,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $256,000 | $295,000▲ | -$39,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $318,000 | $368,000▲ | -$50,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 124 | -41 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $234,940▲ | $181,452 | +$53,488 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $180,180 | $207,900▲ | -$27,720 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $217,084▲ | $167,661 | +$49,423 |
| Total Employment | 5,000 | 6,000 | -1,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $30,000 more (median: $195,000 vs $225,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 124), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($234,940 vs $181,452 equivalent). Memphis, TN 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.