Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Nashville, TN vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Nashville, TN and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$104,000 vs $136,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Nashville, TN
$94,545 vs $83,951
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Nashville, TN
$87,360 vs $73,692
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $104,000 | $136,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,080 | $104,720▲ | -$24,640 |
| 75th Percentile | $133,120 | $174,080▲ | -$40,960 |
| 90th Percentile | $166,400 | $217,600▲ | -$51,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 162 | -52 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $94,545▲ | $83,951 | +$10,594 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $96,096 | $119,381▲ | -$23,285 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $87,360▲ | $73,692 | +$13,668 |
| Total Employment | 14,400 | 33,600 | -19,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $32,000 more (median: $104,000 vs $136,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 162), Nashville, TN provides better purchasing power ($94,545 vs $83,951 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.