Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Columbus, OH vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Columbus, OH and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$66,000 vs $130,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Columbus, OH
$72,527 vs $69,892
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Columbus, OH
$64,342 vs $58,575
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Columbus, OH | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $66,000 | $130,000▲ | -$64,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,000 | $100,000▲ | -$50,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $84,000 | $165,000▲ | -$81,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $103,000 | $200,000▲ | -$97,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 186 | -95 |
| State Income Tax | 3.99%▲ | 9.3% | -5.3100000000000005% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $72,527▲ | $69,892 | +$2,635 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $58,551 | $108,949▲ | -$50,398 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $64,342▲ | $58,575 | +$5,767 |
| Total Employment | 28,000 | 28,000 | — |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Columbus, OH minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $64,000 more (median: $66,000 vs $130,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 91 vs 186), Columbus, OH provides better purchasing power ($72,527 vs $69,892 equivalent). Columbus, OH has the lower state tax rate (3.99% 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.