Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: Memphis, TN vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers 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
$35,000 vs $62,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$42,169 vs $33,155
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$38,964 vs $28,537
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $35,000 | $62,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $26,950 | $47,740▲ | -$20,790 |
| 75th Percentile | $44,800 | $79,360▲ | -$34,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $56,000 | $99,200▲ | -$43,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 187 | -104 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $42,169▲ | $33,155 | +$9,014 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $32,340 | $53,364▲ | -$21,024 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $38,964▲ | $28,537 | +$10,427 |
| Total Employment | 20,000 | 170,000 | -150,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $27,000 more (median: $35,000 vs $62,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 187), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($42,169 vs $33,155 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.