Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Portland, OR vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Portland, OR and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Portland, OR
$230,000 vs $225,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$176,923 vs $181,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$149,173 vs $167,661
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Portland, OR | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $230,000▲ | $225,000 | +$5,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $173,000▲ | $168,000 | +$5,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $302,000▲ | $295,000 | +$7,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $376,000▲ | $368,000 | +$8,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 130 | 124 | +6 |
| State Income Tax | 8.75% | 0%▲ | +8.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $176,923 | $181,452▲ | -$4,529 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $193,925 | $207,900▲ | -$13,975 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $149,173 | $167,661▲ | -$18,488 |
| Total Employment | 6,000 | 6,000 | — |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Portland, OR minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Portland, OR pays $5,000 more (median: $230,000 vs $225,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 130 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($176,923 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.