Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: San Diego, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in San Diego, CA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Diego, CA
$112,000 vs $108,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Diego, CA
$73,684 vs $66,667
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Diego, CA
$61,753 vs $58,520
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $112,000▲ | $108,000 | +$4,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $85,000▲ | $82,000 | +$3,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $143,000▲ | $138,000 | +$5,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $174,000▲ | $168,000 | +$6,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $73,684▲ | $66,667 | +$7,017 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $93,864 | $94,802▲ | -$938 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $61,753▲ | $58,520 | +$3,233 |
| Total Employment | 25,000 | 38,000 | -13,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Diego, CA pays $4,000 more (median: $112,000 vs $108,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), San Diego, CA provides better purchasing power ($73,684 vs $66,667 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (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.