Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: Nashville, TN vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in Nashville, TN and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$64,000 vs $88,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Nashville, TN
$58,182 vs $54,321
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Nashville, TN
$53,760 vs $47,683
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $64,000 | $88,000▲ | -$24,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $49,000 | $67,000▲ | -$18,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $83,000 | $114,000▲ | -$31,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $104,000 | $143,000▲ | -$39,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 162 | -52 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $58,182▲ | $54,321 | +$3,861 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $59,136 | $77,246▲ | -$18,110 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $53,760▲ | $47,683 | +$6,077 |
| Total Employment | 9,000 | 20,000 | -11,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $24,000 more (median: $64,000 vs $88,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 162), Nashville, TN provides better purchasing power ($58,182 vs $54,321 equivalent). Nashville, 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.