Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Louisville, KY vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Louisville, KY and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$62,000 vs $82,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$71,264 vs $66,129
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Louisville, KY
$63,214 vs $61,103
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $62,000 | $82,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,000 | $62,000▲ | -$15,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $79,000 | $105,000▲ | -$26,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $97,000 | $128,000▲ | -$31,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 124 | -37 |
| State Income Tax | 4% | 0%▲ | +4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $71,264▲ | $66,129 | +$5,135 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $54,996 | $75,768▲ | -$20,772 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $63,214▲ | $61,103 | +$2,111 |
| Total Employment | 22,000 | 22,000 | — |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Louisville, KY minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $20,000 more (median: $62,000 vs $82,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 124), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($71,264 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.