Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: Nashville, TN vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in Nashville, TN and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$44,000 vs $57,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Nashville, TN
$40,000 vs $35,185
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Nashville, TN
$36,960 vs $30,886
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $44,000 | $57,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,880 | $43,890▲ | -$10,010 |
| 75th Percentile | $56,320 | $72,960▲ | -$16,640 |
| 90th Percentile | $70,400 | $91,200▲ | -$20,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 162 | -52 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $40,000▲ | $35,185 | +$4,815 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $40,656 | $50,035▲ | -$9,379 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $36,960▲ | $30,886 | +$6,074 |
| 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 $13,000 more (median: $44,000 vs $57,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 162), Nashville, TN provides better purchasing power ($40,000 vs $35,185 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.