Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Nashville, TN vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Nashville, TN and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$210,000 vs $225,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Nashville, TN
$190,909 vs $181,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Nashville, TN
$176,400 vs $167,661
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $210,000 | $225,000▲ | -$15,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $158,000 | $168,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $275,000 | $295,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $342,000 | $368,000▲ | -$26,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 124 | -14 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $190,909▲ | $181,452 | +$9,457 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $194,040 | $207,900▲ | -$13,860 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $176,400▲ | $167,661 | +$8,739 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 6,000 | +2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $15,000 more (median: $210,000 vs $225,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 124), Nashville, TN provides better purchasing power ($190,909 vs $181,452 equivalent). Nashville, 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.