Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: Louisville, KY vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in Louisville, KY and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$97,000 vs $150,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$111,494 vs $92,593
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Louisville, KY
$98,900 vs $81,278
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $97,000 | $150,000▲ | -$53,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $74,690 | $115,500▲ | -$40,810 |
| 75th Percentile | $124,160 | $192,000▲ | -$67,840 |
| 90th Percentile | $155,200 | $240,000▲ | -$84,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 162 | -75 |
| State Income Tax | 4%▲ | 5% | -1% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $111,494▲ | $92,593 | +$18,901 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $86,043 | $131,670▲ | -$45,627 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $98,900▲ | $81,278 | +$17,622 |
| 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 $53,000 more (median: $97,000 vs $150,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 162), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($111,494 vs $92,593 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.