Nurse Practitioner · Salary Comparison · 2026
Nurse Practitioner Salary: Phoenix, AZ vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Nurse Practitioners in Phoenix, AZ and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$108,000 vs $138,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$104,854 vs $85,185
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$94,463 vs $74,775
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $108,000 | $138,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $83,000 | $107,000▲ | -$24,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $138,000 | $177,000▲ | -$39,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $168,000 | $214,000▲ | -$46,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 162 | -59 |
| State Income Tax | 2.5%▲ | 5% | -2.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $104,854▲ | $85,185 | +$19,669 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $97,297 | $121,136▲ | -$23,839 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $94,463▲ | $74,775 | +$19,688 |
| Total Employment | 7,000 | 9,000 | -2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Phoenix, AZ minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $30,000 more (median: $108,000 vs $138,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 162), Phoenix, AZ provides better purchasing power ($104,854 vs $85,185 equivalent). Phoenix, AZ has the lower state tax rate (2.5% vs 5%).
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.