Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Houston, TX vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Houston, TX and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$74,000 vs $108,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$69,159 vs $66,667
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$63,903 vs $58,520
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $74,000 | $108,000▲ | -$34,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $56,000 | $82,000▲ | -$26,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $95,000 | $138,000▲ | -$43,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $116,000 | $168,000▲ | -$52,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 162 | -55 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $69,159▲ | $66,667 | +$2,492 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $68,376 | $94,802▲ | -$26,426 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $63,903▲ | $58,520 | +$5,383 |
| Total Employment | 48,000 | 38,000 | +10,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $34,000 more (median: $74,000 vs $108,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 162), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($69,159 vs $66,667 equivalent). Houston, 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.