Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Oklahoma City, OK vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Oklahoma City, OK and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$60,000 vs $108,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Oklahoma City, OK
$69,767 vs $66,667
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Oklahoma City, OK
$61,403 vs $58,520
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $60,000 | $108,000▲ | -$48,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $46,000 | $82,000▲ | -$36,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,000 | $138,000▲ | -$61,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $94,000 | $168,000▲ | -$74,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 86 | 162 | -76 |
| State Income Tax | 4.75%▲ | 5% | -0.25% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $69,767▲ | $66,667 | +$3,100 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $52,807 | $94,802▲ | -$41,995 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $61,403▲ | $58,520 | +$2,883 |
| Total Employment | 18,000 | 38,000 | -20,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Oklahoma City, OK minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $48,000 more (median: $60,000 vs $108,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 86 vs 162), Oklahoma City, OK provides better purchasing power ($69,767 vs $66,667 equivalent). Oklahoma City, OK has the lower state tax rate (4.75% vs 5%).
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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.