College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Memphis, TN vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Memphis, TN and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$52,000 vs $85,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$62,651 vs $52,469
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$57,889 vs $46,057
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $52,000 | $85,000▲ | -$33,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $40,040 | $65,450▲ | -$25,410 |
| 75th Percentile | $66,560 | $108,800▲ | -$42,240 |
| 90th Percentile | $83,200 | $136,000▲ | -$52,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 162 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $62,651▲ | $52,469 | +$10,182 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $48,048 | $74,613▲ | -$26,565 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $57,889▲ | $46,057 | +$11,832 |
| Total Employment | 12,000 | 63,000 | -51,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $33,000 more (median: $52,000 vs $85,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 162), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($62,651 vs $52,469 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.