Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Memphis, TN vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Memphis, TN and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$58,000 vs $108,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$69,880 vs $66,667
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$64,569 vs $58,520
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $58,000 | $108,000▲ | -$50,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,000 | $82,000▲ | -$38,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $74,000 | $138,000▲ | -$64,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $91,000 | $168,000▲ | -$77,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 162 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $69,880▲ | $66,667 | +$3,213 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $53,592 | $94,802▲ | -$41,210 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $64,569▲ | $58,520 | +$6,049 |
| Total Employment | 20,000 | 38,000 | -18,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $50,000 more (median: $58,000 vs $108,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 162), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($69,880 vs $66,667 equivalent). Memphis, TN 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.