Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Houston, TX vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Houston, TX and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$74,000 vs $115,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$69,159 vs $70,988
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$63,903 vs $65,593
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $74,000 | $115,000▲ | -$41,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $56,000 | $88,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $95,000 | $148,000▲ | -$53,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $116,000 | $180,000▲ | -$64,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 162 | -55 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $69,159 | $70,988▲ | -$1,829 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $68,376 | $106,260▲ | -$37,884 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $63,903 | $65,593▲ | -$1,690 |
| Total Employment | 48,000 | 32,000 | +16,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $41,000 more (median: $74,000 vs $115,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($69,159 vs $70,988 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.