Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: San Diego, CA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in San Diego, CA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$128,000 vs $148,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Diego, CA
$84,211 vs $79,144
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Diego, CA
$70,574 vs $68,120
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $128,000 | $148,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $98,560 | $113,960▲ | -$15,400 |
| 75th Percentile | $163,840 | $189,440▲ | -$25,600 |
| 90th Percentile | $204,800 | $236,800▲ | -$32,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 187 | -35 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 6.85%▲ | +2.450000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $84,211▲ | $79,144 | +$5,067 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $107,273 | $127,384▲ | -$20,111 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $70,574▲ | $68,120 | +$2,454 |
| Total Employment | 19,200 | 54,400 | -35,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $20,000 more (median: $128,000 vs $148,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 187), San Diego, CA provides better purchasing power ($84,211 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.