Seattle vs San Francisco: Which City Actually Pays Nurses More?

Hi {{first_name|nurse,}}

So, here’s the thing:

San Francisco pays $72,000 more than Seattle. So, why do some nurses keep less?

Two of America's biggest nursing markets. One pays nearly double. But when you run the actual numbers, the winner might surprise you.

Seattle and San Francisco are both nursing hotspots. Tech money. High demand. Hospitals competing for staff. On paper, San Francisco destroys Seattle with a $178k median salary versus Seattle's $106k. That's a $72,000 difference. But here's what nobody tells you: higher salary doesn't always mean more money in your pocket.

San Francisco wins, but not by as much as you'd think. That $72k salary advantage shrinks fast. California's state income tax takes a huge bite. San Francisco nurses pay $55,855 in annual taxes versus Seattle's $23,408. That's a $32,447 difference right there.

Washington has no state income tax. That's Seattle's secret weapon. Your $106k salary means you keep about $82,992 after taxes. In San Francisco, your $178k becomes $122,595 after taxes. Still more money, but now we're talking about a $39,603 difference, not $72,000.

Then housing enters the chat. San Francisco's median home price is $1.3 million. Seattle's is $888k. Both are brutal. But that $413k difference means your monthly mortgage in SF is $2,215 higher. Over a year, that's $26,580 more going to your mortgage. Suddenly that salary gap is down to about $13,020 per year in actual leftover money.

If you're renting, the math changes but not by much. San Francisco rents are higher too. A one-bedroom in SF averages $3,000-$3,500. In Seattle, it's $2,000-$2,500. You're still paying a premium to live in the Bay Area, but at least you're not trapped in a $7k mortgage.

Seattle's nursing market is dominated by three big players: UW Medicine, Swedish Medical Center, and Virginia Mason. UW Medicine (the University of Washington system) tends to pay the best and has strong nurse-to-patient ratios. Swedish is everywhere and always hiring. Virginia Mason is smaller but has a loyal staff.

No state income tax is Seattle's biggest win. That extra money in your paycheck is real. The weather is gray and rainy eight months a year, but if you can handle that, the Pacific Northwest lifestyle is hard to beat. Outdoor access is incredible. Mountains, water, hiking everywhere.

The housing market is tight but not impossible. You'll likely need to look outside Seattle proper. Tacoma, Everett, and Renton are cheaper options with decent hospital access. Commutes can be rough. Traffic is bad and getting worse. But if you're willing to live 30-45 minutes out, home ownership is possible on a single nursing salary.

San Francisco is union country. Kaiser Permanente and UCSF Medical Center are the big names, and both have California Nurses Association contracts. That's why the pay is so high. Union hospitals here pay 20-30% more than non-union facilities. If you're moving to SF, target Kaiser or UCSF first. Sutter Health and Dignity Health are also major players but pay less.

The cost of living is no joke. That $178k salary sounds amazing until you realize a studio apartment in the city costs $2,800. Parking is $300-$400 a month. A burrito is $15. Everything costs more. Many nurses live in Oakland, Daly City, or even further out in the East Bay to make it work.

Travel nursing in San Francisco is huge. If you don't want to commit to buying, consider taking a travel contract. Rates here are some of the highest in the country, and housing stipends can cover most of your rent. You'll make more as a traveler than a staff nurse in many cases, and you won't be tied to a mortgage you can't afford.

San Francisco wins on paper.

You’ll keep about $1,085 more per month after taxes and housing. That’s $13,020 per year.

But it’s not the blowout the salary numbers suggest. Seattle’s no state income tax and slightly lower housing costs keep it competitive.

If you want the highest take-home pay and can live with California taxes and costs, San Francisco edges ahead.

If you want an easier path to home ownership and less financial stress, Seattle is the smarter play.

These numbers are based on medians. Your actual situation will vary based on experience, specialty, and which hospital you choose.

Compare any two cities and see what you'd actually keep at MapMyPay.com. The salary number is just the starting point. What you keep is what matters.

VIP subscribers get:

✓ Detailed city insights (hospitals, job market, lifestyle)

✓ Weekly interview tips for relocating nurses

✓ Hospital system deep-dives

Map My Pay helps you preview your paycheck in a new city before you relocate, switch hospitals, or take a contract.

If you haven’t downloaded it yet, you can do it right now. No more waiting. No more guessing your real take-home pay.

Here’s what you’ll get inside:

🧾 See estimated after-tax pay by city
🏠 Check what’s left after rent/mortgage
📊 Compare cost of living + housing + safety
⏱️ Filter based on your role, shift, and overtime
👩‍⚕️ Join a nurse-only community with receipts

We built this for you—because you deserve to know where your money goes and where it goes further.

👇 Haven’t downloaded it yet? Grab it now:

Talk soon,
Jason from Map My Pay

P.S. We’re posting daily in Map My Pay’s community section. Make sure to join us there and ask your most important questions.