Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Boston, MA vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Boston, MA and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$108,000 vs $85,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$66,667 vs $66,406
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$58,520 vs $58,659
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $108,000▲ | $85,000 | +$23,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,000▲ | $65,000 | +$17,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $138,000▲ | $108,000 | +$30,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $168,000▲ | $132,000 | +$36,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 128 | +34 |
| State Income Tax | 5% | 4.4%▲ | +0.5999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $66,667▲ | $66,406 | +$261 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $94,802▲ | $75,084 | +$19,718 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $58,520 | $58,659▲ | -$139 |
| Total Employment | 38,000 | 20,000 | +18,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $23,000 more (median: $108,000 vs $85,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 128), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($66,667 vs $66,406 equivalent). Denver, CO has the lower state tax rate (4.4% vs 5%).
4More Registered Nurse City Comparisons
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.