Nurse Practitioner · Salary Comparison · 2026
Nurse Practitioner Salary: Nashville, TN vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Nurse Practitioners in Nashville, TN and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$98,000 vs $155,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Nashville, TN
$89,091 vs $83,333
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Nashville, TN
$82,320 vs $69,839
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $98,000 | $155,000▲ | -$57,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $76,000 | $120,000▲ | -$44,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $125,000 | $198,000▲ | -$73,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $152,000 | $240,000▲ | -$88,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 186 | -76 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $89,091▲ | $83,333 | +$5,758 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $90,552 | $129,901▲ | -$39,349 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $82,320▲ | $69,839 | +$12,481 |
| Total Employment | 6,000 | 5,000 | +1,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $57,000 more (median: $98,000 vs $155,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 186), Nashville, TN provides better purchasing power ($89,091 vs $83,333 equivalent). Nashville, TN has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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.