Cybersecurity Analyst · Salary Comparison · 2026
Cybersecurity Analyst Salary: Louisville, KY vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Cybersecurity Analysts in Louisville, KY and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$82,000 vs $127,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$94,253 vs $78,395
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Louisville, KY
$83,606 vs $68,815
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $82,000 | $127,000▲ | -$45,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $63,140 | $97,790▲ | -$34,650 |
| 75th Percentile | $104,960 | $162,560▲ | -$57,600 |
| 90th Percentile | $131,200 | $203,200▲ | -$72,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 162 | -75 |
| State Income Tax | 4%▲ | 5% | -1% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $94,253▲ | $78,395 | +$15,858 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $72,737 | $111,481▲ | -$38,744 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $83,606▲ | $68,815 | +$14,791 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 33,600 | -25,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Louisville, KY minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $45,000 more (median: $82,000 vs $127,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 162), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($94,253 vs $78,395 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.