Project Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Project Manager Salary: Nashville, TN vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Project Managers 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
$85,000 vs $121,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Nashville, TN
$77,273 vs $64,706
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Nashville, TN
$71,400 vs $55,693
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $85,000 | $121,000▲ | -$36,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $65,450 | $93,170▲ | -$27,720 |
| 75th Percentile | $108,800 | $154,880▲ | -$46,080 |
| 90th Percentile | $136,000 | $193,600▲ | -$57,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 187 | -77 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $77,273▲ | $64,706 | +$12,567 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $78,540 | $104,145▲ | -$25,605 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $71,400▲ | $55,693 | +$15,707 |
| Total Employment | 14,400 | 54,400 | -40,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $36,000 more (median: $85,000 vs $121,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 187), Nashville, TN provides better purchasing power ($77,273 vs $64,706 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.