Sales Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Sales Manager Salary: Nashville, TN vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Sales Managers in Nashville, TN and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$97,000 vs $127,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Nashville, TN
$88,182 vs $78,395
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Nashville, TN
$81,480 vs $68,815
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $97,000 | $127,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $74,690 | $97,790▲ | -$23,100 |
| 75th Percentile | $124,160 | $162,560▲ | -$38,400 |
| 90th Percentile | $155,200 | $203,200▲ | -$48,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 162 | -52 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $88,182▲ | $78,395 | +$9,787 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $89,628 | $111,481▲ | -$21,853 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $81,480▲ | $68,815 | +$12,665 |
| Total Employment | 14,400 | 33,600 | -19,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $30,000 more (median: $97,000 vs $127,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 162), Nashville, TN provides better purchasing power ($88,182 vs $78,395 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.