Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Atlanta, GA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Atlanta, GA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$72,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Atlanta, GA
$66,667 vs $56,150
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Atlanta, GA
$58,219 vs $48,328
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $72,000 | $105,000▲ | -$33,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $55,000 | $80,000▲ | -$25,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $92,000 | $135,000▲ | -$43,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $112,000 | $165,000▲ | -$53,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 187 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 5.49%▲ | 6.85% | -1.3599999999999994% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $66,667▲ | $56,150 | +$10,517 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $62,876 | $90,374▲ | -$27,498 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $58,219▲ | $48,328 | +$9,891 |
| Total Employment | 38,000 | 72,000 | -34,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Atlanta, GA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $33,000 more (median: $72,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 108 vs 187), Atlanta, GA provides better purchasing power ($66,667 vs $56,150 equivalent). Atlanta, GA has the lower state tax rate (5.49% vs 6.85%).
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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.