Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: San Francisco, CA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in San Francisco, CA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$130,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Francisco, CA
$69,892 vs $56,150
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Francisco, CA
$58,575 vs $48,328
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $130,000▲ | $105,000 | +$25,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $100,000▲ | $80,000 | +$20,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $165,000▲ | $135,000 | +$30,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $200,000▲ | $165,000 | +$35,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 187 | -1 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 6.85%▲ | +2.450000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $69,892▲ | $56,150 | +$13,742 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $108,949▲ | $90,374 | +$18,575 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $58,575▲ | $48,328 | +$10,247 |
| Total Employment | 28,000 | 72,000 | -44,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $25,000 more (median: $130,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 187), San Francisco, CA provides better purchasing power ($69,892 vs $56,150 equivalent). New York, NY has the lower state tax rate (6.85% 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.