Lawyer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Lawyer Salary: Memphis, TN vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Lawyers in Memphis, TN and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$98,000 vs $210,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$118,072 vs $112,299
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$109,099 vs $96,657
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $98,000 | $210,000▲ | -$112,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $69,000 | $148,000▲ | -$79,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $133,000 | $285,000▲ | -$152,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $176,000 | $378,000▲ | -$202,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 187 | -104 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $118,072▲ | $112,299 | +$5,773 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $90,552 | $180,748▲ | -$90,196 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $109,099▲ | $96,657 | +$12,442 |
| Total Employment | 3,000 | 28,000 | -25,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $112,000 more (median: $98,000 vs $210,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 187), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($118,072 vs $112,299 equivalent). Memphis, TN has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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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.