Network Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Network Engineer Salary: Memphis, TN vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Network Engineers in Memphis, TN and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$65,000 vs $114,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$78,313 vs $60,963
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$72,361 vs $52,471
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $65,000 | $114,000▲ | -$49,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,050 | $87,780▲ | -$37,730 |
| 75th Percentile | $83,200 | $145,920▲ | -$62,720 |
| 90th Percentile | $104,000 | $182,400▲ | -$78,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 187 | -104 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $78,313▲ | $60,963 | +$17,350 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $60,060 | $98,120▲ | -$38,060 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $72,361▲ | $52,471 | +$19,890 |
| Total Employment | 12,000 | 102,000 | -90,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $49,000 more (median: $65,000 vs $114,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 187), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($78,313 vs $60,963 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.