Nurse Practitioner · Salary Comparison · 2026
Nurse Practitioner Salary: Portland, OR vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Nurse Practitioners in Portland, OR and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$125,000 vs $138,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Portland, OR
$96,154 vs $85,185
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Portland, OR
$81,072 vs $74,775
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Portland, OR | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $125,000 | $138,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $97,000 | $107,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $160,000 | $177,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $194,000 | $214,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 130 | 162 | -32 |
| State Income Tax | 8.75% | 5%▲ | +3.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $96,154▲ | $85,185 | +$10,969 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $105,394 | $121,136▲ | -$15,742 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $81,072▲ | $74,775 | +$6,297 |
| Total Employment | 5,000 | 9,000 | -4,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Portland, OR minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $13,000 more (median: $125,000 vs $138,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 130 vs 162), Portland, OR provides better purchasing power ($96,154 vs $85,185 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 8.75%).
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.