Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Atlanta, GA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Atlanta, GA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$72,000 vs $108,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Atlanta, GA
$66,667 vs $66,667
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$58,219 vs $58,520
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $72,000 | $108,000▲ | -$36,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $55,000 | $82,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $92,000 | $138,000▲ | -$46,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $112,000 | $168,000▲ | -$56,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 162 | -54 |
| State Income Tax | 5.49% | 5%▲ | +0.4900000000000002% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $66,667▲ | $66,667 | — |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $62,876 | $94,802▲ | -$31,926 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $58,219 | $58,520▲ | -$301 |
| Total Employment | 38,000 | 38,000 | — |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Atlanta, GA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $36,000 more (median: $72,000 vs $108,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 108 vs 162), Atlanta, GA provides better purchasing power ($66,667 vs $66,667 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 5.49%).
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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.