Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Portland, OR vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Portland, OR and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$95,000 vs $108,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Portland, OR
$73,077 vs $66,667
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Portland, OR
$61,615 vs $58,520
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Portland, OR | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $95,000 | $108,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,000 | $82,000▲ | -$9,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $121,000 | $138,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $148,000 | $168,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 130 | 162 | -32 |
| State Income Tax | 8.75% | 5%▲ | +3.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $73,077▲ | $66,667 | +$6,410 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $80,099 | $94,802▲ | -$14,703 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $61,615▲ | $58,520 | +$3,095 |
| Total Employment | 22,000 | 38,000 | -16,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Portland, OR minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $13,000 more (median: $95,000 vs $108,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 130 vs 162), Portland, OR provides better purchasing power ($73,077 vs $66,667 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 8.75%).
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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.