Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Austin, TX vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Austin, TX and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Denver, CO
$82,000 vs $85,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$66,129 vs $66,406
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$61,103 vs $58,659
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $82,000 | $85,000▲ | -$3,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $62,000 | $65,000▲ | -$3,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $105,000 | $108,000▲ | -$3,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,000 | $132,000▲ | -$4,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 128 | -4 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 4.4% | -4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $66,129 | $66,406▲ | -$277 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $75,768▲ | $75,084 | +$684 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $61,103▲ | $58,659 | +$2,444 |
| Total Employment | 22,000 | 20,000 | +2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Denver, CO pays $3,000 more (median: $82,000 vs $85,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($66,129 vs $66,406 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.