Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Austin, TX vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Austin, TX and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$82,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$66,129 vs $56,150
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$61,103 vs $48,328
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $82,000 | $105,000▲ | -$23,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $62,000 | $80,000▲ | -$18,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $105,000 | $135,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,000 | $165,000▲ | -$37,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 187 | -63 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $66,129▲ | $56,150 | +$9,979 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $75,768 | $90,374▲ | -$14,606 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $61,103▲ | $48,328 | +$12,775 |
| Total Employment | 22,000 | 72,000 | -50,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $23,000 more (median: $82,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 187), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($66,129 vs $56,150 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.