Nurse Practitioner · Salary Comparison · 2026
Nurse Practitioner Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Nurse Practitioners in Los Angeles, CA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Los Angeles, CA
$140,000 vs $138,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$80,925 vs $85,185
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$67,821 vs $74,775
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $140,000▲ | $138,000 | +$2,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $108,000▲ | $107,000 | +$1,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $179,000▲ | $177,000 | +$2,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $217,000▲ | $214,000 | +$3,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 162 | +11 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $80,925 | $85,185▲ | -$4,260 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $117,330 | $121,136▲ | -$3,806 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $67,821 | $74,775▲ | -$6,954 |
| Total Employment | 14,000 | 9,000 | +5,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Los Angeles, CA pays $2,000 more (median: $140,000 vs $138,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($80,925 vs $85,185 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% 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.