Database Administrator · Salary Comparison · 2026
Database Administrator Salary: Nashville, TN vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Database Administrators 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
$83,000 vs $118,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Nashville, TN
$75,455 vs $63,102
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Nashville, TN
$69,720 vs $54,312
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $83,000 | $118,000▲ | -$35,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $63,910 | $90,860▲ | -$26,950 |
| 75th Percentile | $106,240 | $151,040▲ | -$44,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $132,800 | $188,800▲ | -$56,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 187 | -77 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $75,455▲ | $63,102 | +$12,353 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $76,692 | $101,563▲ | -$24,871 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $69,720▲ | $54,312 | +$15,408 |
| Total Employment | 14,400 | 54,400 | -40,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $35,000 more (median: $83,000 vs $118,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 187), Nashville, TN provides better purchasing power ($75,455 vs $63,102 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.