College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Memphis, TN vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Memphis, TN and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$52,000 vs $92,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$62,651 vs $49,198
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$57,889 vs $42,345
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $52,000 | $92,000▲ | -$40,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $40,040 | $70,840▲ | -$30,800 |
| 75th Percentile | $66,560 | $117,760▲ | -$51,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $83,200 | $147,200▲ | -$64,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 187 | -104 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $62,651▲ | $49,198 | +$13,453 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $48,048 | $79,185▲ | -$31,137 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $57,889▲ | $42,345 | +$15,544 |
| Total Employment | 12,000 | 102,000 | -90,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $40,000 more (median: $52,000 vs $92,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 187), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($62,651 vs $49,198 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.