What does a Registered Nurse salary really buy you in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts is 9.4% pricier than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-03-31
Massachusetts's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 109.4, meaning prices are 9.4% higher the national average. A Registered Nurse earning $101,970 in Massachusetts has the equivalent purchasing power of $93,208 in an average-cost US state.
Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Massachusetts's cost of living.
| Percentile | Nominal Salary | COL-Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $76,950 | $70,338 | $-6,611 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $83,980 | $76,764 | $-7,215 |
| Median (P50) | $101,970 | $93,208 | $-8,761 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $132,980 | $121,553 | $-11,426 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $173,590 | $158,674 | $-14,915 |
While $101,970 sounds high, Massachusetts's elevated cost of living erases 9% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $93,208. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.
Where does Registered Nurse salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Massachusetts ranks #18 out of 50 states for Registered Nurse after cost-of-living adjustment.
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A Registered Nurse in Massachusetts earns a median salary of $101,970 per year. After adjusting for Massachusetts's cost of living (RPP=109.4), the real purchasing power is $93,208 — a -8.6% difference.
Massachusetts's cost of living is 9.4% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Massachusetts is 109.4 (US average = 100).
Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.
The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Registered Nurse in Massachusetts: $101,970 x (100 / 109.4) = $93,208. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Registered Nurse's nominal salary of $101,970 in Massachusetts has 8.6% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $93,208. However, Massachusetts may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.