Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Nashville, TN vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Nashville, TN and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$68,000 vs $130,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Francisco, CA
$61,818 vs $69,892
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Francisco, CA
$57,120 vs $58,575
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $68,000 | $130,000▲ | -$62,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $52,000 | $100,000▲ | -$48,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $87,000 | $165,000▲ | -$78,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $106,000 | $200,000▲ | -$94,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 186 | -76 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $61,818 | $69,892▲ | -$8,074 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $62,832 | $108,949▲ | -$46,117 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $57,120 | $58,575▲ | -$1,455 |
| Total Employment | 32,000 | 28,000 | +4,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $62,000 more (median: $68,000 vs $130,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 186), San Francisco, CA provides better purchasing power ($61,818 vs $69,892 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.