Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: Nashville, TN vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in Nashville, TN and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$114,000 vs $170,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Nashville, TN
$103,636 vs $91,398
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Nashville, TN
$95,760 vs $76,598
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $114,000 | $170,000▲ | -$56,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $87,780 | $130,900▲ | -$43,120 |
| 75th Percentile | $145,920 | $217,600▲ | -$71,680 |
| 90th Percentile | $182,400 | $272,000▲ | -$89,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 186 | -76 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $103,636▲ | $91,398 | +$12,238 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $105,336 | $142,472▲ | -$37,136 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $95,760▲ | $76,598 | +$19,162 |
| Total Employment | 14,400 | 41,600 | -27,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $56,000 more (median: $114,000 vs $170,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 186), Nashville, TN provides better purchasing power ($103,636 vs $91,398 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.