Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: New York, NY vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in New York, NY and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$105,000 vs $115,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$56,150 vs $70,988
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$48,328 vs $65,593
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | New York, NY | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $105,000 | $115,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,000 | $88,000▲ | -$8,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $135,000 | $148,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $165,000 | $180,000▲ | -$15,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 187 | 162 | +25 |
| State Income Tax | 6.85% | 0%▲ | +6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $56,150 | $70,988▲ | -$14,838 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $90,374 | $106,260▲ | -$15,886 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $48,328 | $65,593▲ | -$17,265 |
| Total Employment | 72,000 | 32,000 | +40,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = New York, NY minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $10,000 more (median: $105,000 vs $115,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 187 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($56,150 vs $70,988 equivalent). Seattle, WA has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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.