Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in San Francisco, CA and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$130,000 vs $85,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Francisco, CA
$69,892 vs $66,406
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$58,575 vs $58,659
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $130,000▲ | $85,000 | +$45,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $100,000▲ | $65,000 | +$35,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $165,000▲ | $108,000 | +$57,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $200,000▲ | $132,000 | +$68,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 128 | +58 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 4.4%▲ | +4.9% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $69,892▲ | $66,406 | +$3,486 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $108,949▲ | $75,084 | +$33,865 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $58,575 | $58,659▲ | -$84 |
| Total Employment | 28,000 | 20,000 | +8,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $45,000 more (median: $130,000 vs $85,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 128), San Francisco, CA provides better purchasing power ($69,892 vs $66,406 equivalent). Denver, CO has the lower state tax rate (4.4% 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.