Lawyer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Lawyer Salary: Louisville, KY vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Lawyers in Louisville, KY and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$105,000 vs $178,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$120,690 vs $109,877
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Louisville, KY
$107,056 vs $96,449
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $105,000 | $178,000▲ | -$73,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $74,000 | $126,000▲ | -$52,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $143,000 | $242,000▲ | -$99,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $189,000 | $320,000▲ | -$131,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 162 | -75 |
| State Income Tax | 4%▲ | 5% | -1% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $120,690▲ | $109,877 | +$10,813 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $93,139 | $156,248▲ | -$63,109 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $107,056▲ | $96,449 | +$10,607 |
| Total Employment | 3,000 | 8,000 | -5,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Louisville, KY minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $73,000 more (median: $105,000 vs $178,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 162), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($120,690 vs $109,877 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.