Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Los Angeles, CA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$132,000 vs $148,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ New York, NY
$76,301 vs $79,144
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ New York, NY
$63,945 vs $68,120
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $132,000 | $148,000▲ | -$16,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $101,640 | $113,960▲ | -$12,320 |
| 75th Percentile | $168,960 | $189,440▲ | -$20,480 |
| 90th Percentile | $211,200 | $236,800▲ | -$25,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 187 | -14 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 6.85%▲ | +2.450000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $76,301 | $79,144▲ | -$2,843 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $110,625 | $127,384▲ | -$16,759 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $63,945 | $68,120▲ | -$4,175 |
| Total Employment | 38,400 | 54,400 | -16,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $16,000 more (median: $132,000 vs $148,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 187), New York, NY provides better purchasing power ($76,301 vs $79,144 equivalent). New York, NY has the lower state tax rate (6.85% vs 9.3%).
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.