Database Administrator · Salary Comparison · 2026
Database Administrator Salary: Memphis, TN vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Database Administrators 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
$66,000 vs $118,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$79,518 vs $63,102
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$73,475 vs $54,312
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $66,000 | $118,000▲ | -$52,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,820 | $90,860▲ | -$40,040 |
| 75th Percentile | $84,480 | $151,040▲ | -$66,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $105,600 | $188,800▲ | -$83,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 187 | -104 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $79,518▲ | $63,102 | +$16,416 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $60,984 | $101,563▲ | -$40,579 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $73,475▲ | $54,312 | +$19,163 |
| Total Employment | 6,400 | 54,400 | -48,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $52,000 more (median: $66,000 vs $118,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 187), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($79,518 vs $63,102 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.