Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Richmond, VA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Richmond, VA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$68,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$67,327 vs $56,150
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$58,633 vs $48,328
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $68,000 | $105,000▲ | -$37,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $52,000 | $80,000▲ | -$28,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $87,000 | $135,000▲ | -$48,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $106,000 | $165,000▲ | -$59,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 187 | -86 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75%▲ | 6.85% | -1.0999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $67,327▲ | $56,150 | +$11,177 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $59,219 | $90,374▲ | -$31,155 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $58,633▲ | $48,328 | +$10,305 |
| Total Employment | 22,000 | 72,000 | -50,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $37,000 more (median: $68,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 187), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($67,327 vs $56,150 equivalent). Richmond, VA has the lower state tax rate (5.75% vs 6.85%).
4More Registered Nurse City Comparisons
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.