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