Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Houston, TX vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Houston, TX and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$74,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$69,159 vs $56,150
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$63,903 vs $48,328
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $74,000 | $105,000▲ | -$31,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $56,000 | $80,000▲ | -$24,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $95,000 | $135,000▲ | -$40,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $116,000 | $165,000▲ | -$49,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 187 | -80 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $69,159▲ | $56,150 | +$13,009 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $68,376 | $90,374▲ | -$21,998 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $63,903▲ | $48,328 | +$15,575 |
| Total Employment | 48,000 | 72,000 | -24,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $31,000 more (median: $74,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 187), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($69,159 vs $56,150 equivalent). Houston, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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.