Business Analyst · Salary Comparison · 2026
Business Analyst Salary: Memphis, TN vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Business Analysts in Memphis, TN and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$65,000 vs $116,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$78,313 vs $71,605
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$72,361 vs $66,163
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $65,000 | $116,000▲ | -$51,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,050 | $89,320▲ | -$39,270 |
| 75th Percentile | $83,200 | $148,480▲ | -$65,280 |
| 90th Percentile | $104,000 | $185,600▲ | -$81,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 162 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $78,313▲ | $71,605 | +$6,708 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $60,060 | $107,184▲ | -$47,124 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $72,361▲ | $66,163 | +$6,198 |
| Total Employment | 12,000 | 87,000 | -75,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $51,000 more (median: $65,000 vs $116,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 162), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($78,313 vs $71,605 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.