Database Administrator · Salary Comparison · 2026
Database Administrator Salary: Louisville, KY vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Database Administrators in Louisville, KY and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$70,000 vs $108,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$80,460 vs $66,667
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Louisville, KY
$71,371 vs $58,520
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $70,000 | $108,000▲ | -$38,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $53,900 | $83,160▲ | -$29,260 |
| 75th Percentile | $89,600 | $138,240▲ | -$48,640 |
| 90th Percentile | $112,000 | $172,800▲ | -$60,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 162 | -75 |
| State Income Tax | 4%▲ | 5% | -1% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $80,460▲ | $66,667 | +$13,793 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $62,093 | $94,802▲ | -$32,709 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $71,371▲ | $58,520 | +$12,851 |
| 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 $38,000 more (median: $70,000 vs $108,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 162), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($80,460 vs $66,667 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.