Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Phoenix, AZ vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Phoenix, AZ and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$78,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$75,728 vs $56,150
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$68,223 vs $48,328
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $78,000 | $105,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $60,000 | $80,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $100,000 | $135,000▲ | -$35,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $122,000 | $165,000▲ | -$43,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 187 | -84 |
| State Income Tax | 2.5%▲ | 6.85% | -4.35% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $75,728▲ | $56,150 | +$19,578 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $70,270 | $90,374▲ | -$20,104 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $68,223▲ | $48,328 | +$19,895 |
| Total Employment | 35,000 | 72,000 | -37,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Phoenix, AZ minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $27,000 more (median: $78,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 187), Phoenix, AZ provides better purchasing power ($75,728 vs $56,150 equivalent). Phoenix, AZ has the lower state tax rate (2.5% 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.