Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Memphis, TN vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Memphis, TN and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$58,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$69,880 vs $56,150
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$64,569 vs $48,328
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $58,000 | $105,000▲ | -$47,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,000 | $80,000▲ | -$36,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $74,000 | $135,000▲ | -$61,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $91,000 | $165,000▲ | -$74,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 187 | -104 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $69,880▲ | $56,150 | +$13,730 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $53,592 | $90,374▲ | -$36,782 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $64,569▲ | $48,328 | +$16,241 |
| Total Employment | 20,000 | 72,000 | -52,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $47,000 more (median: $58,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 187), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($69,880 vs $56,150 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.