Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Raleigh, NC vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Raleigh, NC and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$110,000 vs $148,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$106,796 vs $79,144
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$94,239 vs $68,120
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $110,000 | $148,000▲ | -$38,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $84,700 | $113,960▲ | -$29,260 |
| 75th Percentile | $140,800 | $189,440▲ | -$48,640 |
| 90th Percentile | $176,000 | $236,800▲ | -$60,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 187 | -84 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 6.85% | -2.3499999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $106,796▲ | $79,144 | +$27,652 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $97,066 | $127,384▲ | -$30,318 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $94,239▲ | $68,120 | +$26,119 |
| Total Employment | 17,600 | 54,400 | -36,800 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $38,000 more (median: $110,000 vs $148,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 187), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($106,796 vs $79,144 equivalent). Raleigh, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% 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.