Network Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Network Engineer Salary: Nashville, TN vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Network Engineers in Nashville, TN and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$80,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Nashville, TN
$72,727 vs $64,815
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Nashville, TN
$67,200 vs $56,894
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $80,000 | $105,000▲ | -$25,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $61,600 | $80,850▲ | -$19,250 |
| 75th Percentile | $102,400 | $134,400▲ | -$32,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,000 | $168,000▲ | -$40,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 162 | -52 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $72,727▲ | $64,815 | +$7,912 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $73,920 | $92,169▲ | -$18,249 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $67,200▲ | $56,894 | +$10,306 |
| Total Employment | 27,000 | 63,000 | -36,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $25,000 more (median: $80,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 162), Nashville, TN provides better purchasing power ($72,727 vs $64,815 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.