You Might Be Getting Underpaid and Not Even Know It
Most nurses don’t realize how much money they’re losing just by living in the wrong place. They often focus only on hourly rates and overlook the impact of taxes and rent. Many end up working overtime just to keep their head above water, while others are saving thousands with far fewer hours.
We analyzed the numbers for full-time Registered Nurses in four real cities—Bakersfield, California; Reno, Nevada; San Antonio, Texas; and Miami, Florida. Same role, very different financial outcomes.
If you’ve ever wondered why your paycheck vanishes so quickly, keep reading.
What RN Pay Actually Looks Like After Rent and Income Taxes
Here’s how the 2025 numbers break down for nurses living in these cities:
City | Salary | Taxes | Rent (mo) | Mortgage (mo) | Leftover (Renting) | Leftover (Owning) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bakersfield | $131,030 | $41,012 | $2,013 | $2,114 | $65,856 | $64,644 |
Reno | $103,160 | $22,695 | $1,960 | $2,999 | $56,940 | $44,472 |
San Antonio | $89,320 | $19,650 | $1,453 | $1,352 | $52,236 | $53,436 |
Miami | $75,600 | $16,632 | $3,118 | $3,161 | $21,552 | $21,036 |
A nurse renting in Bakersfield ends up with over $65,000 in leftover income. That same nurse in Miami has just over $21,000 left.
This gap can mean the difference between taking control of your life or constantly playing catch-up.
Owning Doesn’t Always Win
San Antonio is one of the few places where owning leaves you with more leftover money than renting.
Bakersfield is nearly equal either way.
Reno has a much higher mortgage payment, making renting the smarter move for most.
Miami is the worst for homeowners. High prices and low wages eat away nearly everything.
More Leftover Money Means More Freedom
That $44,000 difference between Bakersfield and Miami gives you options:
Pay off a car loan fast
Fund daycare or tuition without stress
Cut back your shifts
Build up savings and invest without sacrificing quality of life
That kind of flexibility can prevent burnout and change your entire financial future.
See What Other Nurses Are Doing
Inside the Map My Pay app, you’ll find:
Anonymous salary screenshots from nurses nationwide
Filters to sort by role, shift, location, and more
Real stories about how nurses are increasing income and lowering costs
You don’t need to guess. You just need the right data.
Start Comparing Today
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Stop working harder than you have to. Use the data to make smarter moves.
See you in the app!