Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Raleigh, NC vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Raleigh, NC and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$68,000 vs $82,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$66,019 vs $66,129
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$58,257 vs $61,103
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $68,000 | $82,000▲ | -$14,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $52,000 | $62,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $87,000 | $105,000▲ | -$18,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $106,000 | $128,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 124 | -21 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5% | 0%▲ | +4.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $66,019 | $66,129▲ | -$110 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $60,005 | $75,768▲ | -$15,763 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $58,257 | $61,103▲ | -$2,846 |
| Total Employment | 22,000 | 22,000 | — |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $14,000 more (median: $68,000 vs $82,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($66,019 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.