Financial Analyst · Salary Comparison · 2026
Financial Analyst Salary: Louisville, KY vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Financial Analysts in Louisville, KY and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$72,000 vs $115,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$82,759 vs $70,988
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Louisville, KY
$73,410 vs $62,313
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $72,000 | $115,000▲ | -$43,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $53,000 | $85,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $94,000 | $152,000▲ | -$58,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $121,000 | $195,000▲ | -$74,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 162 | -75 |
| State Income Tax | 4%▲ | 5% | -1% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $82,759▲ | $70,988 | +$11,771 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $63,867 | $100,947▲ | -$37,080 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $73,410▲ | $62,313 | +$11,097 |
| Total Employment | 5,000 | 16,000 | -11,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Louisville, KY minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $43,000 more (median: $72,000 vs $115,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 162), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($82,759 vs $70,988 equivalent). Louisville, KY has the lower state tax rate (4% vs 5%).
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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.