Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Denver, CO vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Denver, CO and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Denver, CO
$85,000 vs $82,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$66,406 vs $66,129
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$58,659 vs $61,103
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Denver, CO | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $85,000▲ | $82,000 | +$3,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $65,000▲ | $62,000 | +$3,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $108,000▲ | $105,000 | +$3,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $132,000▲ | $128,000 | +$4,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 124 | +4 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% | 0%▲ | +4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $66,406▲ | $66,129 | +$277 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $75,084 | $75,768▲ | -$684 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $58,659 | $61,103▲ | -$2,444 |
| Total Employment | 20,000 | 22,000 | -2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Denver, CO minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Denver, CO pays $3,000 more (median: $85,000 vs $82,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 128 vs 124), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($66,406 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.