Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Austin, TX vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Austin, TX and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$82,000 vs $108,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$66,129 vs $66,667
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$61,103 vs $58,520
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $82,000 | $108,000▲ | -$26,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $62,000 | $82,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $105,000 | $138,000▲ | -$33,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,000 | $168,000▲ | -$40,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 162 | -38 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $66,129 | $66,667▲ | -$538 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $75,768 | $94,802▲ | -$19,034 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $61,103▲ | $58,520 | +$2,583 |
| Total Employment | 22,000 | 38,000 | -16,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $26,000 more (median: $82,000 vs $108,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($66,129 vs $66,667 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
4More Registered Nurse City Comparisons
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.