Investment Banker · Salary Comparison · 2026
Investment Banker Salary: Louisville, KY vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Investment Bankers in Louisville, KY and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$110,000 vs $171,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$126,437 vs $105,556
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Louisville, KY
$112,154 vs $92,657
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $110,000 | $171,000▲ | -$61,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $84,700 | $131,670▲ | -$46,970 |
| 75th Percentile | $140,800 | $218,880▲ | -$78,080 |
| 90th Percentile | $176,000 | $273,600▲ | -$97,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 162 | -75 |
| State Income Tax | 4%▲ | 5% | -1% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $126,437▲ | $105,556 | +$20,881 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $97,574 | $150,104▲ | -$52,530 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $112,154▲ | $92,657 | +$19,497 |
| 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 $61,000 more (median: $110,000 vs $171,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 162), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($126,437 vs $105,556 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.