Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Los Angeles, CA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$118,000 vs $130,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Francisco, CA
$68,208 vs $69,892
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Francisco, CA
$57,163 vs $58,575
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $118,000 | $130,000▲ | -$12,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $90,000 | $100,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $151,000 | $165,000▲ | -$14,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $183,000 | $200,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 186 | -13 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3%▲ | 9.3% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $68,208 | $69,892▲ | -$1,684 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $98,892 | $108,949▲ | -$10,057 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $57,163 | $58,575▲ | -$1,412 |
| Total Employment | 65,000 | 28,000 | +37,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $12,000 more (median: $118,000 vs $130,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 186), San Francisco, CA provides better purchasing power ($68,208 vs $69,892 equivalent). San Francisco, CA has the lower state tax rate (9.3% vs 9.3%).
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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.