10 Best States for Nurses
The internet is filled with lists of the highest-paying states for nurses, but what about the cost of living? Here, we’ve combined the highest nursing salaries with the cheapest cost of living in each state.
Nursing isn’t just a job; it’s a calling—a passion for caring and making a real difference in people’s lives. And where you choose to practice can significantly impact your career satisfaction, opportunities for growth, and overall quality of life. That’s why we’ve done the legwork for you, scouring the nation to uncover the places where nurses are the most financially secure.
From bustling urban hubs to rural landscapes, each state on our list offers its own blend of benefits for nurses. Whether you’re seeking competitive salaries, excellent benefits packages, top-notch healthcare facilities, or simply a low-cost community, there’s a perfect match out there waiting for you.
Here’s a countdown of the 10 best states for nurses to live and work.
4. Minnesota
Minnesota is 2.4% below the national average cost of living, and the median annual salary for nurses is $71,879. These two figures combined makes the adjusted salary for nurses in Minnesota $73,647, which is $13,811 more than Minnesota's median household income, and a whopping $20,601 more than the U.S. median household income.
3. New Mexico
With the cost of living being 5% less than the national average and a median annual salary for nurses of $69,986, New Mexico is a great place for nurses to live. The adjusted salary in terms of cost of living comes to $73,669, which is a whopping $28,742 more than New Mexico's median household income, and $20,623 more than the U.S. median household income.
2. California
Although the cost of living in California is pretty high (12.3% more than the national average), the median annual salary for nurses ($84,593) makes up for it. These two figures combined come to an adjusted annual salary of $75,328, which is still impressive – $14,234 more than California's median household income, and $22,282 more than the U.S. median household income.
1. Massachusetts
At 7.3% above the national average cost of living, Massachussetts may seem like a pretty expensive place to live. But combine that with the median annual salary for nurses, $80,975, and you get an adjusted salary of $75,373 – which is still $8,507 more than Massachusetts' median household income, and $22,327 more than the U.S. median household income, making it the most affordable place for nurses to call home.
5. Oregon
Oregon is 1.3% below the national average cost of living, and nurses make a median annual salary of $72,542. The adjusted salary for nurses in Oregon in terms of cost of living, however, is a bit higher: $73,497, which is $23,268 more than Oregon's median household income, and $20,451 more than the U.S. median household income.
6. Nevada
At 1.8% below the national average cost of living, Nevada is a pretty affordable place to live. Nurses in Nevada have a median annual salary of $72,022, although when combined with the cost of living, their adjusted salary is more like $73,342. This is $20,542 more than Nevada's median household income, and $20,296 more than the U.S. median household income.
7. Rhode Island
Rhode Island is 1.9% below the national average cost of living, making it a very affordable place to live. The median annual salary for nurses in Rhode Island is $69,087. However, when you factor in the cost of living, the adjusted salary for nurses is actually a bit higher: $70,416, which is $14,055 more than than Rhode Island's median household income, and $17,370 more than the U.S. median household income.
8. Washington
Washington's cost of living is 3.2% above the national average, and the median annual salary for nurses is $72,470. Those two figures combined make the adjusted salary for nurses in Washington $70,223, which is $10,745 more than the median household income for Washington and $17,177 more than the U.S. median household income.
9. Alaska
Alaska is 6% above the national average in terms of cost of living, and combined with a median salary of $74,182, your adjusted salary would be $69,983. This is only $777 less than Alaska’s median household income, but $16,937 more than the U.S. median household income.
10. Delaware
Although the cost of living for Delaware is 1.4% above the national average, the salary for nurses in this state more than makes up for it. The median salary for nurses in Delaware is $70,1888, although when adjusted in terms of cost of living, it’s more like $69,219 – which is still $9,341 above Delaware’s median household income and $16,173 above the U.S. median household income.
