Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: Memphis, TN vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in Memphis, TN and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$55,000 vs $85,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$66,265 vs $52,469
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$61,229 vs $48,481
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $55,000 | $85,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $42,000 | $65,000▲ | -$23,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $71,000 | $110,000▲ | -$39,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $89,000 | $138,000▲ | -$49,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 162 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $66,265▲ | $52,469 | +$13,796 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $50,820 | $78,540▲ | -$27,720 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $61,229▲ | $48,481 | +$12,748 |
| Total Employment | 6,000 | 16,000 | -10,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $30,000 more (median: $55,000 vs $85,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 162), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($66,265 vs $52,469 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.