Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: New York, NY vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in New York, NY and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$105,000 vs $85,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$56,150 vs $66,406
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$48,328 vs $58,659
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | New York, NY | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $105,000▲ | $85,000 | +$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,000▲ | $65,000 | +$15,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $135,000▲ | $108,000 | +$27,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $165,000▲ | $132,000 | +$33,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 187 | 128 | +59 |
| State Income Tax | 6.85% | 4.4%▲ | +2.4499999999999993% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $56,150 | $66,406▲ | -$10,256 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $90,374▲ | $75,084 | +$15,290 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $48,328 | $58,659▲ | -$10,331 |
| Total Employment | 72,000 | 20,000 | +52,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = New York, NY minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $20,000 more (median: $105,000 vs $85,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 187 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($56,150 vs $66,406 equivalent). Denver, CO has the lower state tax rate (4.4% 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.