Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Denver, CO vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Denver, CO and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$85,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$66,406 vs $56,150
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$58,659 vs $48,328
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Denver, CO | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $85,000 | $105,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $65,000 | $80,000▲ | -$15,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $108,000 | $135,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $132,000 | $165,000▲ | -$33,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 187 | -59 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4%▲ | 6.85% | -2.4499999999999993% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $66,406▲ | $56,150 | +$10,256 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $75,084 | $90,374▲ | -$15,290 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $58,659▲ | $48,328 | +$10,331 |
| Total Employment | 20,000 | 72,000 | -52,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Denver, CO minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $20,000 more (median: $85,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 128 vs 187), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($66,406 vs $56,150 equivalent). Denver, CO has the lower state tax rate (4.4% vs 6.85%).
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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.