Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: New York, NY vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in New York, NY and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$105,000 vs $108,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$56,150 vs $66,667
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$48,328 vs $58,520
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | New York, NY | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $105,000 | $108,000▲ | -$3,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,000 | $82,000▲ | -$2,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $135,000 | $138,000▲ | -$3,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $165,000 | $168,000▲ | -$3,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 187 | 162 | +25 |
| State Income Tax | 6.85% | 5%▲ | +1.8499999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $56,150 | $66,667▲ | -$10,517 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $90,374 | $94,802▲ | -$4,428 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $48,328 | $58,520▲ | -$10,192 |
| Total Employment | 72,000 | 38,000 | +34,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = New York, NY minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $3,000 more (median: $105,000 vs $108,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 187 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($56,150 vs $66,667 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 6.85%).
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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.