Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: New York, NY vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in New York, NY and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$105,000 vs $82,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$56,150 vs $66,129
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$48,328 vs $61,103
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | New York, NY | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $105,000▲ | $82,000 | +$23,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,000▲ | $62,000 | +$18,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $135,000▲ | $105,000 | +$30,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $165,000▲ | $128,000 | +$37,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 187 | 124 | +63 |
| State Income Tax | 6.85% | 0%▲ | +6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $56,150 | $66,129▲ | -$9,979 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $90,374▲ | $75,768 | +$14,606 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $48,328 | $61,103▲ | -$12,775 |
| Total Employment | 72,000 | 22,000 | +50,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = New York, NY minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $23,000 more (median: $105,000 vs $82,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 187 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($56,150 vs $66,129 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
4More Registered Nurse City Comparisons
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.