Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Portland, OR vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Portland, OR and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$95,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Portland, OR
$73,077 vs $56,150
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Portland, OR
$61,615 vs $48,328
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Portland, OR | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $95,000 | $105,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,000 | $80,000▲ | -$7,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $121,000 | $135,000▲ | -$14,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $148,000 | $165,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 130 | 187 | -57 |
| State Income Tax | 8.75% | 6.85%▲ | +1.9000000000000004% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $73,077▲ | $56,150 | +$16,927 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $80,099 | $90,374▲ | -$10,275 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $61,615▲ | $48,328 | +$13,287 |
| Total Employment | 22,000 | 72,000 | -50,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Portland, OR minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $10,000 more (median: $95,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 130 vs 187), Portland, OR provides better purchasing power ($73,077 vs $56,150 equivalent). New York, NY has the lower state tax rate (6.85% 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.