Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Raleigh, NC vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Raleigh, NC and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$68,000 vs $130,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Francisco, CA
$66,019 vs $69,892
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Francisco, CA
$58,257 vs $58,575
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $68,000 | $130,000▲ | -$62,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $52,000 | $100,000▲ | -$48,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $87,000 | $165,000▲ | -$78,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $106,000 | $200,000▲ | -$94,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 186 | -83 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 9.3% | -4.800000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $66,019 | $69,892▲ | -$3,873 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $60,005 | $108,949▲ | -$48,944 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $58,257 | $58,575▲ | -$318 |
| Total Employment | 22,000 | 28,000 | -6,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $62,000 more (median: $68,000 vs $130,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 186), San Francisco, CA provides better purchasing power ($66,019 vs $69,892 equivalent). Raleigh, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% 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.