HR Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
HR Manager Salary: Louisville, KY vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for HR Managers 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 $112,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$82,759 vs $69,136
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Louisville, KY
$73,410 vs $60,688
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $72,000 | $112,000▲ | -$40,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $55,440 | $86,240▲ | -$30,800 |
| 75th Percentile | $92,160 | $143,360▲ | -$51,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $115,200 | $179,200▲ | -$64,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 162 | -75 |
| State Income Tax | 4%▲ | 5% | -1% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $82,759▲ | $69,136 | +$13,623 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $63,867 | $98,314▲ | -$34,447 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $73,410▲ | $60,688 | +$12,722 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 33,600 | -25,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Louisville, KY minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $40,000 more (median: $72,000 vs $112,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 162), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($82,759 vs $69,136 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.