Software Developer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Software Developer Salary: Memphis, TN vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Software Developers in Memphis, TN and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$95,000 vs $168,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$114,458 vs $89,840
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$105,759 vs $77,326
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $95,000 | $168,000▲ | -$73,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $72,000 | $128,000▲ | -$56,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $122,000 | $215,000▲ | -$93,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $152,000 | $265,000▲ | -$113,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 187 | -104 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $114,458▲ | $89,840 | +$24,618 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $87,780 | $144,599▲ | -$56,819 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $105,759▲ | $77,326 | +$28,433 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 68,000 | -60,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $73,000 more (median: $95,000 vs $168,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 187), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($114,458 vs $89,840 equivalent). Memphis, 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.