Registered Nurse · Salary Comparison · 2026
Registered Nurse Salary: Washington, DC vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Registered Nurses in Washington, DC and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$95,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Washington, DC
$62,500 vs $56,150
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Washington, DC
$53,996 vs $48,328
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $95,000 | $105,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,000 | $80,000▲ | -$7,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $121,000 | $135,000▲ | -$14,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $148,000 | $165,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 187 | -35 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5%▲ | 6.85% | -0.34999999999999964% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $62,500▲ | $56,150 | +$6,350 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $82,074 | $90,374▲ | -$8,300 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $53,996▲ | $48,328 | +$5,668 |
| Total Employment | 35,000 | 72,000 | -37,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $10,000 more (median: $95,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 187), Washington, DC provides better purchasing power ($62,500 vs $56,150 equivalent). Washington, DC has the lower state tax rate (6.5% vs 6.85%).
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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.