College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Louisville, KY vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Louisville, KY and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$55,000 vs $85,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$63,218 vs $52,469
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Louisville, KY
$56,077 vs $46,057
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $55,000 | $85,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $42,350 | $65,450▲ | -$23,100 |
| 75th Percentile | $70,400 | $108,800▲ | -$38,400 |
| 90th Percentile | $88,000 | $136,000▲ | -$48,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 162 | -75 |
| State Income Tax | 4%▲ | 5% | -1% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $63,218▲ | $52,469 | +$10,749 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $48,787 | $74,613▲ | -$25,826 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $56,077▲ | $46,057 | +$10,020 |
| Total Employment | 15,000 | 63,000 | -48,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Louisville, KY minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $30,000 more (median: $55,000 vs $85,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 162), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($63,218 vs $52,469 equivalent). Louisville, KY has the lower state tax rate (4% vs 5%).
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.