Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Detroit, MI vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Detroit, MI and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$70,000 vs $108,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Detroit, MI
$78,652 vs $66,667
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Detroit, MI
$69,585 vs $58,520
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $70,000 | $108,000▲ | -$38,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $53,000 | $82,000▲ | -$29,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $90,000 | $138,000▲ | -$48,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $110,000 | $168,000▲ | -$58,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 89 | 162 | -73 |
| State Income Tax | 4.25%▲ | 5% | -0.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $78,652▲ | $66,667 | +$11,985 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $61,931 | $94,802▲ | -$32,871 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $69,585▲ | $58,520 | +$11,065 |
| Total Employment | 35,000 | 38,000 | -3,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Detroit, MI minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $38,000 more (median: $70,000 vs $108,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 89 vs 162), Detroit, MI provides better purchasing power ($78,652 vs $66,667 equivalent). Detroit, MI has the lower state tax rate (4.25% vs 5%).
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.