Network Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Network Engineer Salary: Memphis, TN vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Network Engineers in Memphis, TN and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$65,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$78,313 vs $64,815
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$72,361 vs $56,894
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $65,000 | $105,000▲ | -$40,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,050 | $80,850▲ | -$30,800 |
| 75th Percentile | $83,200 | $134,400▲ | -$51,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $104,000 | $168,000▲ | -$64,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 162 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $78,313▲ | $64,815 | +$13,498 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $60,060 | $92,169▲ | -$32,109 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $72,361▲ | $56,894 | +$15,467 |
| Total Employment | 12,000 | 63,000 | -51,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $40,000 more (median: $65,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 162), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($78,313 vs $64,815 equivalent). Memphis, 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.