Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Phoenix, AZ vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Phoenix, AZ and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$215,000 vs $225,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$208,738 vs $181,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$188,052 vs $167,661
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $215,000 | $225,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $161,000 | $168,000▲ | -$7,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $282,000 | $295,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $350,000 | $368,000▲ | -$18,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 124 | -21 |
| State Income Tax | 2.5% | 0%▲ | +2.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $208,738▲ | $181,452 | +$27,286 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $193,694 | $207,900▲ | -$14,206 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $188,052▲ | $167,661 | +$20,391 |
| Total Employment | 10,000 | 6,000 | +4,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Phoenix, AZ minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $10,000 more (median: $215,000 vs $225,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 124), Phoenix, AZ provides better purchasing power ($208,738 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.