Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Portland, OR vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Portland, OR and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Portland, OR
$95,000 vs $82,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Portland, OR
$73,077 vs $66,129
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Portland, OR
$61,615 vs $61,103
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Portland, OR | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $95,000▲ | $82,000 | +$13,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,000▲ | $62,000 | +$11,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $121,000▲ | $105,000 | +$16,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $148,000▲ | $128,000 | +$20,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 130 | 124 | +6 |
| State Income Tax | 8.75% | 0%▲ | +8.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $73,077▲ | $66,129 | +$6,948 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $80,099▲ | $75,768 | +$4,331 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $61,615▲ | $61,103 | +$512 |
| Total Employment | 22,000 | 22,000 | — |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Portland, OR minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Portland, OR pays $13,000 more (median: $95,000 vs $82,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 130 vs 124), Portland, OR provides better purchasing power ($73,077 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.