Lawyer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Lawyer Salary: Nashville, TN vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Lawyers in Nashville, TN and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$118,000 vs $178,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$107,273 vs $109,877
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Nashville, TN
$99,120 vs $96,449
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $118,000 | $178,000▲ | -$60,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $83,000 | $126,000▲ | -$43,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $160,000 | $242,000▲ | -$82,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $212,000 | $320,000▲ | -$108,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 162 | -52 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $107,273 | $109,877▲ | -$2,604 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $109,032 | $156,248▲ | -$47,216 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $99,120▲ | $96,449 | +$2,671 |
| Total Employment | 5,000 | 8,000 | -3,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $60,000 more (median: $118,000 vs $178,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($107,273 vs $109,877 equivalent). Nashville, 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.