Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Louisville, KY vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Louisville, KY and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$62,000 vs $108,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$71,264 vs $66,667
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Louisville, KY
$63,214 vs $58,520
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $62,000 | $108,000▲ | -$46,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,000 | $82,000▲ | -$35,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $79,000 | $138,000▲ | -$59,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $97,000 | $168,000▲ | -$71,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 162 | -75 |
| State Income Tax | 4%▲ | 5% | -1% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $71,264▲ | $66,667 | +$4,597 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $54,996 | $94,802▲ | -$39,806 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $63,214▲ | $58,520 | +$4,694 |
| Total Employment | 22,000 | 38,000 | -16,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Louisville, KY minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $46,000 more (median: $62,000 vs $108,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 162), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($71,264 vs $66,667 equivalent). Louisville, KY has the lower state tax rate (4% 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.