Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Boston, MA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Boston, MA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$108,000 vs $82,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$66,667 vs $66,129
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$58,520 vs $61,103
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $108,000▲ | $82,000 | +$26,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,000▲ | $62,000 | +$20,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $138,000▲ | $105,000 | +$33,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $168,000▲ | $128,000 | +$40,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 124 | +38 |
| State Income Tax | 5% | 0%▲ | +5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $66,667▲ | $66,129 | +$538 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $94,802▲ | $75,768 | +$19,034 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $58,520 | $61,103▲ | -$2,583 |
| Total Employment | 38,000 | 22,000 | +16,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $26,000 more (median: $108,000 vs $82,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 124), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($66,667 vs $66,129 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.