Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Phoenix, AZ vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Phoenix, AZ and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$78,000 vs $130,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$75,728 vs $69,892
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$68,223 vs $58,575
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $78,000 | $130,000▲ | -$52,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $60,000 | $100,000▲ | -$40,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $100,000 | $165,000▲ | -$65,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $122,000 | $200,000▲ | -$78,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 186 | -83 |
| State Income Tax | 2.5%▲ | 9.3% | -6.800000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $75,728▲ | $69,892 | +$5,836 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $70,270 | $108,949▲ | -$38,679 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $68,223▲ | $58,575 | +$9,648 |
| Total Employment | 35,000 | 28,000 | +7,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Phoenix, AZ minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $52,000 more (median: $78,000 vs $130,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 186), Phoenix, AZ provides better purchasing power ($75,728 vs $69,892 equivalent). Phoenix, AZ has the lower state tax rate (2.5% vs 9.3%).
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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.