Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Washington, DC vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Washington, DC and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Washington, DC
$242,000 vs $225,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$159,211 vs $181,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$137,548 vs $167,661
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $242,000▲ | $225,000 | +$17,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $182,000▲ | $168,000 | +$14,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $317,000▲ | $295,000 | +$22,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $394,000▲ | $368,000 | +$26,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 124 | +28 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5% | 0%▲ | +6.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $159,211 | $181,452▲ | -$22,241 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $209,073▲ | $207,900 | +$1,173 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $137,548 | $167,661▲ | -$30,113 |
| Total Employment | 10,000 | 6,000 | +4,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Washington, DC pays $17,000 more (median: $242,000 vs $225,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($159,211 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.