Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: Nashville, TN vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists 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
$71,000 vs $101,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Nashville, TN
$64,545 vs $54,011
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Nashville, TN
$59,640 vs $46,487
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $71,000 | $101,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $54,670 | $77,770▲ | -$23,100 |
| 75th Percentile | $90,880 | $129,280▲ | -$38,400 |
| 90th Percentile | $113,600 | $161,600▲ | -$48,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 187 | -77 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $64,545▲ | $54,011 | +$10,534 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $65,604 | $86,931▲ | -$21,327 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $59,640▲ | $46,487 | +$13,153 |
| Total Employment | 27,000 | 102,000 | -75,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $30,000 more (median: $71,000 vs $101,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 187), Nashville, TN provides better purchasing power ($64,545 vs $54,011 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.