Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Seattle, WA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Seattle, WA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$115,000 vs $82,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$70,988 vs $66,129
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$65,593 vs $61,103
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $115,000▲ | $82,000 | +$33,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $88,000▲ | $62,000 | +$26,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $148,000▲ | $105,000 | +$43,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $180,000▲ | $128,000 | +$52,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 124 | +38 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $70,988▲ | $66,129 | +$4,859 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $106,260▲ | $75,768 | +$30,492 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $65,593▲ | $61,103 | +$4,490 |
| Total Employment | 32,000 | 22,000 | +10,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $33,000 more (median: $115,000 vs $82,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 124), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($70,988 vs $66,129 equivalent). Seattle, WA 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.