Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Los Angeles, CA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Los Angeles, CA
$118,000 vs $108,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Los Angeles, CA
$68,208 vs $66,667
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$57,163 vs $58,520
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $118,000▲ | $108,000 | +$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $90,000▲ | $82,000 | +$8,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $151,000▲ | $138,000 | +$13,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $183,000▲ | $168,000 | +$15,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 162 | +11 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $68,208▲ | $66,667 | +$1,541 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $98,892▲ | $94,802 | +$4,090 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $57,163 | $58,520▲ | -$1,357 |
| Total Employment | 65,000 | 38,000 | +27,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Los Angeles, CA pays $10,000 more (median: $118,000 vs $108,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 162), Los Angeles, CA provides better purchasing power ($68,208 vs $66,667 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 9.3%).
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.