Dental Hygienist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Dental Hygienist Salary: Nashville, TN vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Dental Hygienists in Nashville, TN and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$53,000 vs $70,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Nashville, TN
$48,182 vs $43,210
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Nashville, TN
$44,520 vs $37,930
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $53,000 | $70,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $40,810 | $53,900▲ | -$13,090 |
| 75th Percentile | $67,840 | $89,600▲ | -$21,760 |
| 90th Percentile | $84,800 | $112,000▲ | -$27,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 162 | -52 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $48,182▲ | $43,210 | +$4,972 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $48,972 | $61,446▲ | -$12,474 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $44,520▲ | $37,930 | +$6,590 |
| Total Employment | 45,000 | 105,000 | -60,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $17,000 more (median: $53,000 vs $70,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 162), Nashville, TN provides better purchasing power ($48,182 vs $43,210 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.