Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Nashville, TN vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants 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
$35,000 vs $50,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Nashville, TN
$31,818 vs $26,738
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Nashville, TN
$29,400 vs $23,013
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $35,000 | $50,000▲ | -$15,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $26,950 | $38,500▲ | -$11,550 |
| 75th Percentile | $44,800 | $64,000▲ | -$19,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $56,000 | $80,000▲ | -$24,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 187 | -77 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $31,818▲ | $26,738 | +$5,080 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $32,340 | $43,035▲ | -$10,695 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $29,400▲ | $23,013 | +$6,387 |
| Total Employment | 45,000 | 170,000 | -125,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $15,000 more (median: $35,000 vs $50,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 187), Nashville, TN provides better purchasing power ($31,818 vs $26,738 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.