Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Nashville, TN vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Nashville, TN and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$104,000 vs $150,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Nashville, TN
$94,545 vs $92,593
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Nashville, TN
$87,360 vs $85,556
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $104,000 | $150,000▲ | -$46,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,080 | $115,500▲ | -$35,420 |
| 75th Percentile | $133,120 | $192,000▲ | -$58,880 |
| 90th Percentile | $166,400 | $240,000▲ | -$73,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 162 | -52 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $94,545▲ | $92,593 | +$1,952 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $96,096 | $138,600▲ | -$42,504 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $87,360▲ | $85,556 | +$1,804 |
| Total Employment | 14,400 | 46,400 | -32,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $46,000 more (median: $104,000 vs $150,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 162), Nashville, TN provides better purchasing power ($94,545 vs $92,593 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.