Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: San Diego, CA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in San Diego, CA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$112,000 vs $130,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Diego, CA
$73,684 vs $69,892
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Diego, CA
$61,753 vs $58,575
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $112,000 | $130,000▲ | -$18,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $85,000 | $100,000▲ | -$15,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $143,000 | $165,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $174,000 | $200,000▲ | -$26,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 186 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3%▲ | 9.3% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $73,684▲ | $69,892 | +$3,792 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $93,864 | $108,949▲ | -$15,085 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $61,753▲ | $58,575 | +$3,178 |
| Total Employment | 25,000 | 28,000 | -3,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $18,000 more (median: $112,000 vs $130,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 186), San Diego, CA provides better purchasing power ($73,684 vs $69,892 equivalent). San Francisco, CA has the lower state tax rate (9.3% 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.