Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Columbus, OH vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Columbus, OH and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$66,000 vs $82,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Columbus, OH
$72,527 vs $66,129
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Columbus, OH
$64,342 vs $61,103
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $66,000 | $82,000▲ | -$16,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,000 | $62,000▲ | -$12,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $84,000 | $105,000▲ | -$21,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $103,000 | $128,000▲ | -$25,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 124 | -33 |
| State Income Tax | 3.99% | 0%▲ | +3.99% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $72,527▲ | $66,129 | +$6,398 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $58,551 | $75,768▲ | -$17,217 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $64,342▲ | $61,103 | +$3,239 |
| Total Employment | 28,000 | 22,000 | +6,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Columbus, OH minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $16,000 more (median: $66,000 vs $82,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 91 vs 124), Columbus, OH provides better purchasing power ($72,527 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.