Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Seattle, WA vs Nashville, TN
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Seattle, WA and Nashville, TN, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$115,000 vs $68,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$70,988 vs $61,818
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$65,593 vs $57,120
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Nashville, TN | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $115,000▲ | $68,000 | +$47,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $88,000▲ | $52,000 | +$36,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $148,000▲ | $87,000 | +$61,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $180,000▲ | $106,000 | +$74,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 110 | +52 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $70,988▲ | $61,818 | +$9,170 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $106,260▲ | $62,832 | +$43,428 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $65,593▲ | $57,120 | +$8,473 |
| Total Employment | 32,000 | 32,000 | — |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus Nashville, TN.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $47,000 more (median: $115,000 vs $68,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 110), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($70,988 vs $61,818 equivalent). Seattle, WA 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.