Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: Raleigh, NC vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in Raleigh, NC and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$68,000 vs $85,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$66,019 vs $52,469
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$58,257 vs $48,481
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $68,000 | $85,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $52,000 | $65,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $88,000 | $110,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $111,000 | $138,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 162 | -59 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5% | 0%▲ | +4.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $66,019▲ | $52,469 | +$13,550 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $60,005 | $78,540▲ | -$18,535 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $58,257▲ | $48,481 | +$9,776 |
| Total Employment | 10,000 | 16,000 | -6,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $17,000 more (median: $68,000 vs $85,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 162), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($66,019 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.