HR Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
HR Manager Salary: Nashville, TN vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for HR Managers in Nashville, TN and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$85,000 vs $112,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Nashville, TN
$77,273 vs $69,136
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Nashville, TN
$71,400 vs $60,688
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $85,000 | $112,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $65,450 | $86,240▲ | -$20,790 |
| 75th Percentile | $108,800 | $143,360▲ | -$34,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $136,000 | $179,200▲ | -$43,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 162 | -52 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $77,273▲ | $69,136 | +$8,137 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $78,540 | $98,314▲ | -$19,774 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $71,400▲ | $60,688 | +$10,712 |
| Total Employment | 14,400 | 33,600 | -19,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $27,000 more (median: $85,000 vs $112,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 162), Nashville, TN provides better purchasing power ($77,273 vs $69,136 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.