Nurse Practitioner · Salary Comparison · 2026
Nurse Practitioner Salary: Atlanta, GA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Nurse Practitioners in Atlanta, GA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$105,000 vs $155,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Atlanta, GA
$97,222 vs $83,333
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Atlanta, GA
$84,902 vs $69,839
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $105,000 | $155,000▲ | -$50,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $81,000 | $120,000▲ | -$39,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $134,000 | $198,000▲ | -$64,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $163,000 | $240,000▲ | -$77,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 186 | -78 |
| State Income Tax | 5.49%▲ | 9.3% | -3.8100000000000005% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $97,222▲ | $83,333 | +$13,889 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $91,694 | $129,901▲ | -$38,207 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $84,902▲ | $69,839 | +$15,063 |
| Total Employment | 7,000 | 5,000 | +2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Atlanta, GA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $50,000 more (median: $105,000 vs $155,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 108 vs 186), Atlanta, GA provides better purchasing power ($97,222 vs $83,333 equivalent). Atlanta, GA has the lower state tax rate (5.49% vs 9.3%).
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.