Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Indianapolis, IN vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Indianapolis, IN and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$65,000 vs $108,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$72,222 vs $66,667
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$64,631 vs $58,520
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $65,000 | $108,000▲ | -$43,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,000 | $82,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $83,000 | $138,000▲ | -$55,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $102,000 | $168,000▲ | -$66,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 162 | -72 |
| State Income Tax | 3.15%▲ | 5% | -1.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $72,222▲ | $66,667 | +$5,555 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $58,168 | $94,802▲ | -$36,634 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $64,631▲ | $58,520 | +$6,111 |
| Total Employment | 25,000 | 38,000 | -13,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Indianapolis, IN minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $43,000 more (median: $65,000 vs $108,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 162), Indianapolis, IN provides better purchasing power ($72,222 vs $66,667 equivalent). Indianapolis, IN has the lower state tax rate (3.15% vs 5%).
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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.