Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: Memphis, TN vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in Memphis, TN and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$55,000 vs $98,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$66,265 vs $52,406
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$61,229 vs $45,106
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $55,000 | $98,000▲ | -$43,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $42,000 | $74,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $71,000 | $127,000▲ | -$56,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $89,000 | $160,000▲ | -$71,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 187 | -104 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $66,265▲ | $52,406 | +$13,859 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $50,820 | $84,349▲ | -$33,529 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $61,229▲ | $45,106 | +$16,123 |
| Total Employment | 6,000 | 45,000 | -39,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $43,000 more (median: $55,000 vs $98,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 187), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($66,265 vs $52,406 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.