Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Charlotte, NC vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Charlotte, NC and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$101,000 vs $148,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Charlotte, NC
$99,020 vs $79,144
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Charlotte, NC
$87,376 vs $68,120
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $101,000 | $148,000▲ | -$47,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $77,770 | $113,960▲ | -$36,190 |
| 75th Percentile | $129,280 | $189,440▲ | -$60,160 |
| 90th Percentile | $161,600 | $236,800▲ | -$75,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 187 | -85 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 6.85% | -2.3499999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $99,020▲ | $79,144 | +$19,876 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $89,124 | $127,384▲ | -$38,260 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $87,376▲ | $68,120 | +$19,256 |
| Total Employment | 16,000 | 54,400 | -38,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Charlotte, NC minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $47,000 more (median: $101,000 vs $148,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 102 vs 187), Charlotte, NC provides better purchasing power ($99,020 vs $79,144 equivalent). Charlotte, 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.