Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: New York, NY vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in New York, NY and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$98,000 vs $85,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$52,406 vs $52,469
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$45,106 vs $48,481
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | New York, NY | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $98,000▲ | $85,000 | +$13,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $74,000▲ | $65,000 | +$9,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $127,000▲ | $110,000 | +$17,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $160,000▲ | $138,000 | +$22,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 187 | 162 | +25 |
| State Income Tax | 6.85% | 0%▲ | +6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $52,406 | $52,469▲ | -$63 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $84,349▲ | $78,540 | +$5,809 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $45,106 | $48,481▲ | -$3,375 |
| Total Employment | 45,000 | 16,000 | +29,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = New York, NY minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $13,000 more (median: $98,000 vs $85,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 187 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($52,406 vs $52,469 equivalent). Seattle, WA 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.