Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Salt Lake City, UT vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Salt Lake City, UT and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$106,000 vs $148,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$94,643 vs $79,144
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$83,384 vs $68,120
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $106,000 | $148,000▲ | -$42,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $81,620 | $113,960▲ | -$32,340 |
| 75th Percentile | $135,680 | $189,440▲ | -$53,760 |
| 90th Percentile | $169,600 | $236,800▲ | -$67,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 187 | -75 |
| State Income Tax | 4.65%▲ | 6.85% | -2.1999999999999993% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $94,643▲ | $79,144 | +$15,499 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $93,390 | $127,384▲ | -$33,994 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $83,384▲ | $68,120 | +$15,264 |
| Total Employment | 14,400 | 54,400 | -40,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Salt Lake City, UT minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $42,000 more (median: $106,000 vs $148,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 187), Salt Lake City, UT provides better purchasing power ($94,643 vs $79,144 equivalent). Salt Lake City, UT has the lower state tax rate (4.65% 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.