Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: Louisville, KY vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in Louisville, KY and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$37,000 vs $57,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$42,529 vs $35,185
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Louisville, KY
$37,724 vs $30,886
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $37,000 | $57,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $28,490 | $43,890▲ | -$15,400 |
| 75th Percentile | $47,360 | $72,960▲ | -$25,600 |
| 90th Percentile | $59,200 | $91,200▲ | -$32,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 162 | -75 |
| State Income Tax | 4%▲ | 5% | -1% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $42,529▲ | $35,185 | +$7,344 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $32,820 | $50,035▲ | -$17,215 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $37,724▲ | $30,886 | +$6,838 |
| Total Employment | 25,000 | 105,000 | -80,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Louisville, KY minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $20,000 more (median: $37,000 vs $57,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 162), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($42,529 vs $35,185 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.