Tax Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Tax Manager Salary: Nashville, TN vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Tax Managers in Nashville, TN and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$94,000 vs $124,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Nashville, TN
$85,455 vs $76,543
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Nashville, TN
$78,960 vs $67,190
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $94,000 | $124,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $72,380 | $95,480▲ | -$23,100 |
| 75th Percentile | $120,320 | $158,720▲ | -$38,400 |
| 90th Percentile | $150,400 | $198,400▲ | -$48,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 162 | -52 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $85,455▲ | $76,543 | +$8,912 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $86,856 | $108,847▲ | -$21,991 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $78,960▲ | $67,190 | +$11,770 |
| 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: $94,000 vs $124,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 162), Nashville, TN provides better purchasing power ($85,455 vs $76,543 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.