Texas vs Arizona: Travel Nurse Pay Comparison
Compare travel nurse pay, taxes, stipends, and cost of living between Texas and Arizona. Based on our analysis, Arizona offers more gross discretionary income after rent.
Last updated: October 14, 2026
Our Recommendation
Arizona
Offers approximately $379/week more in gross discretionary income (before state tax)
Higher Pay
AZ
Better Taxes
TX
Lower COL
TX
Higher Stipends
AZ
Best Discretionary Income
AZ
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Texas | Arizona | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Hourly Rate | $46/hr | $48/hr | AZ |
| Weekly Gross (incl. stipends) | $3,744 | $4,146 | AZ |
| State Income Tax | None | Applies | TX |
| Cost of Living Index | 92.7 | 97.2 | TX |
| Average 1BR Rent | $1,100/mo | $1,200/mo | TX |
| Weekly Housing Stipend (GSA) | $1,344 | $1,624 | AZ |
| Compact License State | Yes | Yes | — |
| Est. Weekly Discretionary Income (gross, pre-tax) | $3,490 | $3,869 | AZ |
Texas Overview
Pay: Texas offers $46/hr average with $3,744/week gross including stipends.
Taxes: No state income tax, making it tax-friendly.
Cost of Living: Index of 92.7 with average rent of $1,100/mo.
Licensing: Compact state (eNLC), $200 fee, 2-4 weeks.
Arizona Overview
Pay: Arizona offers $48/hr average with $4,146/week gross including stipends.
Taxes: State income tax applies, making it tax-friendly.
Cost of Living: Index of 97.2 with average rent of $1,200/mo.
Licensing: Compact state (eNLC), $300 fee, 2-4 weeks.
Ready to Calculate Your Exact Pay?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which state pays travel nurses more: Texas or Arizona?
Arizona offers higher gross pay at $48/hr compared to $46/hr. However, Arizona offers more gross discretionary income once rent is factored in — run both through the tax calculator for your actual after-tax comparison.
Is Texas or Arizona better for travel nurse taxes?
Texas is more tax-friendly — it has no state income tax, while Arizona does levy one (we don't publish a specific rate; check its official tax tables or your own known rate in the calculator).
What is the cost of living difference between Texas and Arizona?
Texas has a COL index of 92.7 while Arizona is 97.2. Average 1BR rent: Texas $1100/mo vs Arizona $1200/mo. Texas is more affordable overall.
Which state has higher GSA stipend rates?
Arizona offers higher tax-free stipends at $2,226/week compared to $1,904/week in Texas.
Should I take a travel nurse assignment in Texas or Arizona?
Based on our analysis, Arizona offers approximately $379 more in weekly gross discretionary income after housing (before state tax). However, consider factors like licensing (Texas is compact, Arizona is compact), job availability, and personal preferences.