Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: El Paso, TX vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in El Paso, TX and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$58,000 vs $115,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$68,235 vs $70,988
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$63,049 vs $65,593
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $58,000 | $115,000▲ | -$57,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,000 | $88,000▲ | -$44,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $74,000 | $148,000▲ | -$74,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $91,000 | $180,000▲ | -$89,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 162 | -77 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $68,235 | $70,988▲ | -$2,753 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $53,592 | $106,260▲ | -$52,668 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $63,049 | $65,593▲ | -$2,544 |
| Total Employment | 12,000 | 32,000 | -20,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $57,000 more (median: $58,000 vs $115,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($68,235 vs $70,988 equivalent). El Paso, 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.