Lawyer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Lawyer Salary: Memphis, TN vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Lawyers in Memphis, TN and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$98,000 vs $168,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$118,072 vs $103,704
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$109,099 vs $95,822
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $98,000 | $168,000▲ | -$70,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $69,000 | $118,000▲ | -$49,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $133,000 | $228,000▲ | -$95,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $176,000 | $302,000▲ | -$126,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 162 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $118,072▲ | $103,704 | +$14,368 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $90,552 | $155,232▲ | -$64,680 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $109,099▲ | $95,822 | +$13,277 |
| Total Employment | 3,000 | 5,000 | -2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $70,000 more (median: $98,000 vs $168,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 162), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($118,072 vs $103,704 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.