Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Atlanta, GA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Atlanta, GA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$110,000 vs $148,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Atlanta, GA
$101,852 vs $79,144
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Atlanta, GA
$88,944 vs $68,120
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $110,000 | $148,000▲ | -$38,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $84,700 | $113,960▲ | -$29,260 |
| 75th Percentile | $140,800 | $189,440▲ | -$48,640 |
| 90th Percentile | $176,000 | $236,800▲ | -$60,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 187 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 5.49%▲ | 6.85% | -1.3599999999999994% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $101,852▲ | $79,144 | +$22,708 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $96,060 | $127,384▲ | -$31,324 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $88,944▲ | $68,120 | +$20,824 |
| Total Employment | 24,000 | 54,400 | -30,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Atlanta, GA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $38,000 more (median: $110,000 vs $148,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 108 vs 187), Atlanta, GA provides better purchasing power ($101,852 vs $79,144 equivalent). Atlanta, GA has the lower state tax rate (5.49% 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.