Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Boston, MA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Boston, MA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$108,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$66,667 vs $56,150
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$58,520 vs $48,328
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $108,000▲ | $105,000 | +$3,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,000▲ | $80,000 | +$2,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $138,000▲ | $135,000 | +$3,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $168,000▲ | $165,000 | +$3,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 187 | -25 |
| State Income Tax | 5%▲ | 6.85% | -1.8499999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $66,667▲ | $56,150 | +$10,517 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $94,802▲ | $90,374 | +$4,428 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $58,520▲ | $48,328 | +$10,192 |
| Total Employment | 38,000 | 72,000 | -34,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $3,000 more (median: $108,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 187), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($66,667 vs $56,150 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% 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.