Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Detroit, MI vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Detroit, MI and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$95,000 vs $148,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Detroit, MI
$106,742 vs $79,144
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Detroit, MI
$94,437 vs $68,120
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Detroit, MI | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $95,000 | $148,000▲ | -$53,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,150 | $113,960▲ | -$40,810 |
| 75th Percentile | $121,600 | $189,440▲ | -$67,840 |
| 90th Percentile | $152,000 | $236,800▲ | -$84,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 89 | 187 | -98 |
| State Income Tax | 4.25%▲ | 6.85% | -2.5999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $106,742▲ | $79,144 | +$27,598 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $84,049 | $127,384▲ | -$43,335 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $94,437▲ | $68,120 | +$26,317 |
| Total Employment | 12,000 | 54,400 | -42,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Detroit, MI minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $53,000 more (median: $95,000 vs $148,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 89 vs 187), Detroit, MI provides better purchasing power ($106,742 vs $79,144 equivalent). Detroit, MI has the lower state tax rate (4.25% 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.