Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Denver, CO vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Denver, CO and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$85,000 vs $130,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Francisco, CA
$66,406 vs $69,892
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$58,659 vs $58,575
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Denver, CO | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $85,000 | $130,000▲ | -$45,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $65,000 | $100,000▲ | -$35,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $108,000 | $165,000▲ | -$57,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $132,000 | $200,000▲ | -$68,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 186 | -58 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4%▲ | 9.3% | -4.9% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $66,406 | $69,892▲ | -$3,486 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $75,084 | $108,949▲ | -$33,865 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $58,659▲ | $58,575 | +$84 |
| Total Employment | 20,000 | 28,000 | -8,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Denver, CO minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $45,000 more (median: $85,000 vs $130,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 128 vs 186), San Francisco, CA provides better purchasing power ($66,406 vs $69,892 equivalent). Denver, CO has the lower state tax rate (4.4% vs 9.3%).
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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.