Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Washington, DC vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Washington, DC and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Washington, DC
$95,000 vs $82,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$62,500 vs $66,129
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$53,996 vs $61,103
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | 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 | 152 | 124 | +28 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5% | 0%▲ | +6.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $62,500 | $66,129▲ | -$3,629 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $82,074▲ | $75,768 | +$6,306 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $53,996 | $61,103▲ | -$7,107 |
| Total Employment | 35,000 | 22,000 | +13,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Washington, DC pays $13,000 more (median: $95,000 vs $82,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($62,500 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.