Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Detroit, MI vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Detroit, MI and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$70,000 vs $82,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Detroit, MI
$78,652 vs $66,129
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Detroit, MI
$69,585 vs $61,103
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $70,000 | $82,000▲ | -$12,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $53,000 | $62,000▲ | -$9,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $90,000 | $105,000▲ | -$15,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $110,000 | $128,000▲ | -$18,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 89 | 124 | -35 |
| State Income Tax | 4.25% | 0%▲ | +4.25% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $78,652▲ | $66,129 | +$12,523 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $61,931 | $75,768▲ | -$13,837 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $69,585▲ | $61,103 | +$8,482 |
| Total Employment | 35,000 | 22,000 | +13,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Detroit, MI minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $12,000 more (median: $70,000 vs $82,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 89 vs 124), Detroit, MI provides better purchasing power ($78,652 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.