Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: Memphis, TN vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in Memphis, TN and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$55,000 vs $88,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$66,265 vs $54,321
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$61,229 vs $47,683
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $55,000 | $88,000▲ | -$33,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $42,000 | $67,000▲ | -$25,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $71,000 | $114,000▲ | -$43,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $89,000 | $143,000▲ | -$54,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 162 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $66,265▲ | $54,321 | +$11,944 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $50,820 | $77,246▲ | -$26,426 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $61,229▲ | $47,683 | +$13,546 |
| Total Employment | 6,000 | 20,000 | -14,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $33,000 more (median: $55,000 vs $88,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 162), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($66,265 vs $54,321 equivalent). Memphis, TN has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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.