Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Salt Lake City, UT vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Salt Lake City, UT and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$72,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$64,286 vs $56,150
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$56,638 vs $48,328
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $72,000 | $105,000▲ | -$33,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $55,000 | $80,000▲ | -$25,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $92,000 | $135,000▲ | -$43,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $112,000 | $165,000▲ | -$53,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 187 | -75 |
| State Income Tax | 4.65%▲ | 6.85% | -2.1999999999999993% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $64,286▲ | $56,150 | +$8,136 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $63,434 | $90,374▲ | -$26,940 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $56,638▲ | $48,328 | +$8,310 |
| Total Employment | 18,000 | 72,000 | -54,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Salt Lake City, UT minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $33,000 more (median: $72,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 187), Salt Lake City, UT provides better purchasing power ($64,286 vs $56,150 equivalent). Salt Lake City, UT has the lower state tax rate (4.65% vs 6.85%).
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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.