Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: Raleigh, NC vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in Raleigh, NC and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$68,000 vs $98,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$66,019 vs $52,406
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$58,257 vs $45,106
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $68,000 | $98,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $52,000 | $74,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $88,000 | $127,000▲ | -$39,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $111,000 | $160,000▲ | -$49,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 187 | -84 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 6.85% | -2.3499999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $66,019▲ | $52,406 | +$13,613 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $60,005 | $84,349▲ | -$24,344 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $58,257▲ | $45,106 | +$13,151 |
| Total Employment | 10,000 | 45,000 | -35,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $30,000 more (median: $68,000 vs $98,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 187), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($66,019 vs $52,406 equivalent). Raleigh, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% vs 6.85%).
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.