Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Memphis, TN vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Memphis, TN and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$84,000 vs $148,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$101,205 vs $79,144
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$93,513 vs $68,120
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $84,000 | $148,000▲ | -$64,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,680 | $113,960▲ | -$49,280 |
| 75th Percentile | $107,520 | $189,440▲ | -$81,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $134,400 | $236,800▲ | -$102,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 187 | -104 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $101,205▲ | $79,144 | +$22,061 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $77,616 | $127,384▲ | -$49,768 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $93,513▲ | $68,120 | +$25,393 |
| Total Employment | 6,400 | 54,400 | -48,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $64,000 more (median: $84,000 vs $148,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 187), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($101,205 vs $79,144 equivalent). Memphis, TN has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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.