Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: New York, NY vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in New York, NY and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$105,000 vs $130,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Francisco, CA
$56,150 vs $69,892
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Francisco, CA
$48,328 vs $58,575
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | New York, NY | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $105,000 | $130,000▲ | -$25,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,000 | $100,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $135,000 | $165,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $165,000 | $200,000▲ | -$35,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 187 | 186 | +1 |
| State Income Tax | 6.85%▲ | 9.3% | -2.450000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $56,150 | $69,892▲ | -$13,742 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $90,374 | $108,949▲ | -$18,575 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $48,328 | $58,575▲ | -$10,247 |
| Total Employment | 72,000 | 28,000 | +44,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = New York, NY minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $25,000 more (median: $105,000 vs $130,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 187 vs 186), San Francisco, CA provides better purchasing power ($56,150 vs $69,892 equivalent). New York, NY has the lower state tax rate (6.85% vs 9.3%).
4More Registered Nurse City Comparisons
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.