Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Memphis, TN vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Memphis, TN and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$58,000 vs $82,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$69,880 vs $66,129
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$64,569 vs $61,103
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $58,000 | $82,000▲ | -$24,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,000 | $62,000▲ | -$18,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $74,000 | $105,000▲ | -$31,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $91,000 | $128,000▲ | -$37,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 124 | -41 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $69,880▲ | $66,129 | +$3,751 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $53,592 | $75,768▲ | -$22,176 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $64,569▲ | $61,103 | +$3,466 |
| Total Employment | 20,000 | 22,000 | -2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $24,000 more (median: $58,000 vs $82,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 124), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($69,880 vs $66,129 equivalent). Memphis, TN 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.