Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Chicago, IL vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Chicago, IL and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$80,000 vs $115,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$74,766 vs $70,988
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$65,664 vs $65,593
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $80,000 | $115,000▲ | -$35,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $62,000 | $88,000▲ | -$26,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $102,000 | $148,000▲ | -$46,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $124,000 | $180,000▲ | -$56,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 162 | -55 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95% | 0%▲ | +4.95% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $74,766▲ | $70,988 | +$3,778 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $70,261 | $106,260▲ | -$35,999 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $65,664▲ | $65,593 | +$71 |
| Total Employment | 48,000 | 32,000 | +16,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $35,000 more (median: $80,000 vs $115,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 162), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($74,766 vs $70,988 equivalent). Seattle, WA has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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.