Tax Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Tax Manager Salary: Memphis, TN vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Tax Managers in Memphis, TN and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$76,000 vs $136,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$91,566 vs $83,951
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$84,607 vs $77,570
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $76,000 | $136,000▲ | -$60,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,520 | $104,720▲ | -$46,200 |
| 75th Percentile | $97,280 | $174,080▲ | -$76,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $121,600 | $217,600▲ | -$96,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 162 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $91,566▲ | $83,951 | +$7,615 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $70,224 | $125,664▲ | -$55,440 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $84,607▲ | $77,570 | +$7,037 |
| Total Employment | 6,400 | 46,400 | -40,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $60,000 more (median: $76,000 vs $136,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 162), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($91,566 vs $83,951 equivalent). Memphis, 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.