Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Dallas, TX vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Dallas, TX and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$75,000 vs $82,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Dallas, TX
$66,964 vs $66,129
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Dallas, TX
$61,875 vs $61,103
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $75,000 | $82,000▲ | -$7,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $57,000 | $62,000▲ | -$5,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $96,000 | $105,000▲ | -$9,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $118,000 | $128,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 124 | -12 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $66,964▲ | $66,129 | +$835 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $69,300 | $75,768▲ | -$6,468 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $61,875▲ | $61,103 | +$772 |
| Total Employment | 45,000 | 22,000 | +23,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Dallas, TX minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $7,000 more (median: $75,000 vs $82,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 124), Dallas, TX provides better purchasing power ($66,964 vs $66,129 equivalent). Dallas, 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.