Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: Nashville, TN vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers 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
$44,000 vs $62,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Nashville, TN
$40,000 vs $33,155
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Nashville, TN
$36,960 vs $28,537
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $44,000 | $62,000▲ | -$18,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,880 | $47,740▲ | -$13,860 |
| 75th Percentile | $56,320 | $79,360▲ | -$23,040 |
| 90th Percentile | $70,400 | $99,200▲ | -$28,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 187 | -77 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $40,000▲ | $33,155 | +$6,845 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $40,656 | $53,364▲ | -$12,708 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $36,960▲ | $28,537 | +$8,423 |
| Total Employment | 45,000 | 170,000 | -125,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $18,000 more (median: $44,000 vs $62,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 187), Nashville, TN provides better purchasing power ($40,000 vs $33,155 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.