Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Houston, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Houston, TX and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$74,000 vs $130,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Francisco, CA
$69,159 vs $69,892
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$63,903 vs $58,575
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $74,000 | $130,000▲ | -$56,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $56,000 | $100,000▲ | -$44,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $95,000 | $165,000▲ | -$70,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $116,000 | $200,000▲ | -$84,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 186 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $69,159 | $69,892▲ | -$733 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $68,376 | $108,949▲ | -$40,573 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $63,903▲ | $58,575 | +$5,328 |
| Total Employment | 48,000 | 28,000 | +20,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $56,000 more (median: $74,000 vs $130,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 186), San Francisco, CA provides better purchasing power ($69,159 vs $69,892 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.