Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Columbus, OH vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Columbus, OH and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$99,000 vs $148,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Columbus, OH
$108,791 vs $79,144
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Columbus, OH
$96,512 vs $68,120
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Columbus, OH | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $99,000 | $148,000▲ | -$49,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $76,230 | $113,960▲ | -$37,730 |
| 75th Percentile | $126,720 | $189,440▲ | -$62,720 |
| 90th Percentile | $158,400 | $236,800▲ | -$78,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 187 | -96 |
| State Income Tax | 3.99%▲ | 6.85% | -2.8599999999999994% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $108,791▲ | $79,144 | +$29,647 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $87,826 | $127,384▲ | -$39,558 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $96,512▲ | $68,120 | +$28,392 |
| Total Employment | 12,800 | 54,400 | -41,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Columbus, OH minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $49,000 more (median: $99,000 vs $148,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 91 vs 187), Columbus, OH provides better purchasing power ($108,791 vs $79,144 equivalent). Columbus, OH has the lower state tax rate (3.99% 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.