Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Nashville, TN vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Nashville, TN and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$104,000 vs $148,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Nashville, TN
$94,545 vs $79,144
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Nashville, TN
$87,360 vs $68,120
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $104,000 | $148,000▲ | -$44,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,080 | $113,960▲ | -$33,880 |
| 75th Percentile | $133,120 | $189,440▲ | -$56,320 |
| 90th Percentile | $166,400 | $236,800▲ | -$70,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 187 | -77 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $94,545▲ | $79,144 | +$15,401 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $96,096 | $127,384▲ | -$31,288 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $87,360▲ | $68,120 | +$19,240 |
| Total Employment | 14,400 | 54,400 | -40,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $44,000 more (median: $104,000 vs $148,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 187), Nashville, TN provides better purchasing power ($94,545 vs $79,144 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.