Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Los Angeles, CA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Los Angeles, CA
$118,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Los Angeles, CA
$68,208 vs $56,150
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Los Angeles, CA
$57,163 vs $48,328
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $118,000▲ | $105,000 | +$13,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $90,000▲ | $80,000 | +$10,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $151,000▲ | $135,000 | +$16,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $183,000▲ | $165,000 | +$18,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 187 | -14 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 6.85%▲ | +2.450000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $68,208▲ | $56,150 | +$12,058 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $98,892▲ | $90,374 | +$8,518 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $57,163▲ | $48,328 | +$8,835 |
| Total Employment | 65,000 | 72,000 | -7,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Los Angeles, CA pays $13,000 more (median: $118,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 187), Los Angeles, CA provides better purchasing power ($68,208 vs $56,150 equivalent). New York, NY has the lower state tax rate (6.85% 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.