College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Nashville, TN vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Nashville, TN and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$65,000 vs $92,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Nashville, TN
$59,091 vs $49,198
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Nashville, TN
$54,600 vs $42,345
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $65,000 | $92,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,050 | $70,840▲ | -$20,790 |
| 75th Percentile | $83,200 | $117,760▲ | -$34,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $104,000 | $147,200▲ | -$43,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 187 | -77 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $59,091▲ | $49,198 | +$9,893 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $60,060 | $79,185▲ | -$19,125 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $54,600▲ | $42,345 | +$12,255 |
| Total Employment | 27,000 | 102,000 | -75,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $27,000 more (median: $65,000 vs $92,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 187), Nashville, TN provides better purchasing power ($59,091 vs $49,198 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.