Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Boston, MA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Boston, MA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$108,000 vs $130,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Francisco, CA
$66,667 vs $69,892
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Francisco, CA
$58,520 vs $58,575
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $108,000 | $130,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,000 | $100,000▲ | -$18,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $138,000 | $165,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $168,000 | $200,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 186 | -24 |
| State Income Tax | 5%▲ | 9.3% | -4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $66,667 | $69,892▲ | -$3,225 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $94,802 | $108,949▲ | -$14,147 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $58,520 | $58,575▲ | -$55 |
| Total Employment | 38,000 | 28,000 | +10,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $22,000 more (median: $108,000 vs $130,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 186), San Francisco, CA provides better purchasing power ($66,667 vs $69,892 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 9.3%).
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.