Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Nashville, TN vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Nashville, TN and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$68,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Nashville, TN
$61,818 vs $56,150
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Nashville, TN
$57,120 vs $48,328
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $68,000 | $105,000▲ | -$37,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $52,000 | $80,000▲ | -$28,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $87,000 | $135,000▲ | -$48,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $106,000 | $165,000▲ | -$59,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 187 | -77 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $61,818▲ | $56,150 | +$5,668 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $62,832 | $90,374▲ | -$27,542 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $57,120▲ | $48,328 | +$8,792 |
| Total Employment | 32,000 | 72,000 | -40,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $37,000 more (median: $68,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 187), Nashville, TN provides better purchasing power ($61,818 vs $56,150 equivalent). Nashville, 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.