Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Dallas, TX vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Dallas, TX and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$75,000 vs $108,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Dallas, TX
$66,964 vs $66,667
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Dallas, TX
$61,875 vs $58,520
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $75,000 | $108,000▲ | -$33,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $57,000 | $82,000▲ | -$25,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $96,000 | $138,000▲ | -$42,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $118,000 | $168,000▲ | -$50,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 162 | -50 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $66,964▲ | $66,667 | +$297 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $69,300 | $94,802▲ | -$25,502 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $61,875▲ | $58,520 | +$3,355 |
| Total Employment | 45,000 | 38,000 | +7,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Dallas, TX minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $33,000 more (median: $75,000 vs $108,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 162), Dallas, TX provides better purchasing power ($66,964 vs $66,667 equivalent). Dallas, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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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.