Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Dallas, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Dallas, TX and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$75,000 vs $130,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Francisco, CA
$66,964 vs $69,892
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Dallas, TX
$61,875 vs $58,575
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Dallas, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $75,000 | $130,000▲ | -$55,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $57,000 | $100,000▲ | -$43,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $96,000 | $165,000▲ | -$69,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $118,000 | $200,000▲ | -$82,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 186 | -74 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $66,964 | $69,892▲ | -$2,928 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $69,300 | $108,949▲ | -$39,649 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $61,875▲ | $58,575 | +$3,300 |
| Total Employment | 45,000 | 28,000 | +17,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Dallas, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $55,000 more (median: $75,000 vs $130,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 186), San Francisco, CA provides better purchasing power ($66,964 vs $69,892 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.