Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Chicago, IL vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Chicago, IL and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$80,000 vs $82,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$74,766 vs $66,129
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$65,664 vs $61,103
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $80,000 | $82,000▲ | -$2,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $62,000▲ | $62,000 | — |
| 75th Percentile | $102,000 | $105,000▲ | -$3,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $124,000 | $128,000▲ | -$4,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 124 | -17 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95% | 0%▲ | +4.95% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $74,766▲ | $66,129 | +$8,637 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $70,261 | $75,768▲ | -$5,507 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $65,664▲ | $61,103 | +$4,561 |
| Total Employment | 48,000 | 22,000 | +26,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $2,000 more (median: $80,000 vs $82,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 124), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($74,766 vs $66,129 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.