Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Portland, OR vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Portland, OR and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$95,000 vs $130,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Portland, OR
$73,077 vs $69,892
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Portland, OR
$61,615 vs $58,575
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Portland, OR | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $95,000 | $130,000▲ | -$35,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,000 | $100,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $121,000 | $165,000▲ | -$44,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $148,000 | $200,000▲ | -$52,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 130 | 186 | -56 |
| State Income Tax | 8.75%▲ | 9.3% | -0.5500000000000007% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $73,077▲ | $69,892 | +$3,185 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $80,099 | $108,949▲ | -$28,850 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $61,615▲ | $58,575 | +$3,040 |
| Total Employment | 22,000 | 28,000 | -6,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Portland, OR minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $35,000 more (median: $95,000 vs $130,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 130 vs 186), Portland, OR provides better purchasing power ($73,077 vs $69,892 equivalent). Portland, OR has the lower state tax rate (8.75% 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.