Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Phoenix, AZ vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Phoenix, AZ and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$107,000 vs $148,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$103,883 vs $79,144
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$93,588 vs $68,120
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $107,000 | $148,000▲ | -$41,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,390 | $113,960▲ | -$31,570 |
| 75th Percentile | $136,960 | $189,440▲ | -$52,480 |
| 90th Percentile | $171,200 | $236,800▲ | -$65,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 187 | -84 |
| State Income Tax | 2.5%▲ | 6.85% | -4.35% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $103,883▲ | $79,144 | +$24,739 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $96,396 | $127,384▲ | -$30,988 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $93,588▲ | $68,120 | +$25,468 |
| Total Employment | 20,000 | 54,400 | -34,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Phoenix, AZ minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $41,000 more (median: $107,000 vs $148,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 187), Phoenix, AZ provides better purchasing power ($103,883 vs $79,144 equivalent). Phoenix, AZ has the lower state tax rate (2.5% 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.