Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Louisville, KY vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Louisville, KY and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$88,000 vs $136,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$101,149 vs $83,951
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Louisville, KY
$89,724 vs $73,692
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $88,000 | $136,000▲ | -$48,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $67,760 | $104,720▲ | -$36,960 |
| 75th Percentile | $112,640 | $174,080▲ | -$61,440 |
| 90th Percentile | $140,800 | $217,600▲ | -$76,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 162 | -75 |
| State Income Tax | 4%▲ | 5% | -1% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $101,149▲ | $83,951 | +$17,198 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $78,060 | $119,381▲ | -$41,321 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $89,724▲ | $73,692 | +$16,032 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 33,600 | -25,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Louisville, KY minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $48,000 more (median: $88,000 vs $136,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 162), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($101,149 vs $83,951 equivalent). Louisville, KY has the lower state tax rate (4% vs 5%).
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.