Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: Nashville, TN vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in Nashville, TN and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$114,000 vs $163,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Nashville, TN
$103,636 vs $87,166
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Nashville, TN
$95,760 vs $75,024
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $114,000 | $163,000▲ | -$49,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $87,780 | $125,510▲ | -$37,730 |
| 75th Percentile | $145,920 | $208,640▲ | -$62,720 |
| 90th Percentile | $182,400 | $260,800▲ | -$78,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 187 | -77 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $103,636▲ | $87,166 | +$16,470 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $105,336 | $140,295▲ | -$34,959 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $95,760▲ | $75,024 | +$20,736 |
| Total Employment | 14,400 | 54,400 | -40,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $49,000 more (median: $114,000 vs $163,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 187), Nashville, TN provides better purchasing power ($103,636 vs $87,166 equivalent). Nashville, TN has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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.