Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Houston, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in San Francisco, CA and Houston, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$130,000 vs $74,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Francisco, CA
$69,892 vs $69,159
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$58,575 vs $63,903
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Houston, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $130,000▲ | $74,000 | +$56,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $100,000▲ | $56,000 | +$44,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $165,000▲ | $95,000 | +$70,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $200,000▲ | $116,000 | +$84,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 107 | +79 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $69,892▲ | $69,159 | +$733 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $108,949▲ | $68,376 | +$40,573 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $58,575 | $63,903▲ | -$5,328 |
| Total Employment | 28,000 | 48,000 | -20,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Houston, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $56,000 more (median: $130,000 vs $74,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 107), San Francisco, CA provides better purchasing power ($69,892 vs $69,159 equivalent). Houston, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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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.