Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Columbus, OH vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Columbus, OH and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$66,000 vs $108,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Columbus, OH
$72,527 vs $66,667
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Columbus, OH
$64,342 vs $58,520
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $66,000 | $108,000▲ | -$42,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,000 | $82,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $84,000 | $138,000▲ | -$54,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $103,000 | $168,000▲ | -$65,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 162 | -71 |
| State Income Tax | 3.99%▲ | 5% | -1.0099999999999998% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $72,527▲ | $66,667 | +$5,860 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $58,551 | $94,802▲ | -$36,251 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $64,342▲ | $58,520 | +$5,822 |
| Total Employment | 28,000 | 38,000 | -10,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Columbus, OH minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $42,000 more (median: $66,000 vs $108,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 91 vs 162), Columbus, OH provides better purchasing power ($72,527 vs $66,667 equivalent). Columbus, OH has the lower state tax rate (3.99% vs 5%).
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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.