Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Louisville, KY vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Louisville, KY and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$200,000 vs $252,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$229,885 vs $155,556
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Louisville, KY
$203,917 vs $136,547
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $200,000 | $252,000▲ | -$52,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $150,000 | $190,000▲ | -$40,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $262,000 | $330,000▲ | -$68,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $326,000 | $410,000▲ | -$84,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 162 | -75 |
| State Income Tax | 4%▲ | 5% | -1% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $229,885▲ | $155,556 | +$74,329 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $177,408 | $221,206▲ | -$43,798 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $203,917▲ | $136,547 | +$67,370 |
| Total Employment | 6,000 | 14,000 | -8,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Louisville, KY minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $52,000 more (median: $200,000 vs $252,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 162), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($229,885 vs $155,556 equivalent). Louisville, KY has the lower state tax rate (4% vs 5%).
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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.