Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Memphis, TN vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Memphis, TN and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$84,000 vs $136,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$101,205 vs $83,951
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$93,513 vs $73,692
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $84,000 | $136,000▲ | -$52,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,680 | $104,720▲ | -$40,040 |
| 75th Percentile | $107,520 | $174,080▲ | -$66,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $134,400 | $217,600▲ | -$83,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 162 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $101,205▲ | $83,951 | +$17,254 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $77,616 | $119,381▲ | -$41,765 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $93,513▲ | $73,692 | +$19,821 |
| Total Employment | 6,400 | 33,600 | -27,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $52,000 more (median: $84,000 vs $136,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 162), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($101,205 vs $83,951 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.