Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Louisville, KY vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Louisville, KY and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$62,000 vs $115,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$71,264 vs $70,988
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$63,214 vs $65,593
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $62,000 | $115,000▲ | -$53,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,000 | $88,000▲ | -$41,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $79,000 | $148,000▲ | -$69,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $97,000 | $180,000▲ | -$83,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 162 | -75 |
| State Income Tax | 4% | 0%▲ | +4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $71,264▲ | $70,988 | +$276 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $54,996 | $106,260▲ | -$51,264 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $63,214 | $65,593▲ | -$2,379 |
| Total Employment | 22,000 | 32,000 | -10,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Louisville, KY minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $53,000 more (median: $62,000 vs $115,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 162), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($71,264 vs $70,988 equivalent). Seattle, WA has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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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.