Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Nashville, TN vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Nashville, TN and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$210,000 vs $252,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Nashville, TN
$190,909 vs $155,556
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Nashville, TN
$176,400 vs $136,547
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $210,000 | $252,000▲ | -$42,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $158,000 | $190,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $275,000 | $330,000▲ | -$55,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $342,000 | $410,000▲ | -$68,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 162 | -52 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $190,909▲ | $155,556 | +$35,353 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $194,040 | $221,206▲ | -$27,166 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $176,400▲ | $136,547 | +$39,853 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 14,000 | -6,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $42,000 more (median: $210,000 vs $252,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 162), Nashville, TN provides better purchasing power ($190,909 vs $155,556 equivalent). Nashville, TN has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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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.