Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: San Diego, CA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in San Diego, CA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Diego, CA
$112,000 vs $82,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Diego, CA
$73,684 vs $66,129
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Diego, CA
$61,753 vs $61,103
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $112,000▲ | $82,000 | +$30,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $85,000▲ | $62,000 | +$23,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $143,000▲ | $105,000 | +$38,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $174,000▲ | $128,000 | +$46,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 124 | +28 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $73,684▲ | $66,129 | +$7,555 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $93,864▲ | $75,768 | +$18,096 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $61,753▲ | $61,103 | +$650 |
| Total Employment | 25,000 | 22,000 | +3,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Diego, CA pays $30,000 more (median: $112,000 vs $82,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 124), San Diego, CA provides better purchasing power ($73,684 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.