Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Washington, DC vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Washington, DC and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$134,000 vs $148,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Washington, DC
$88,158 vs $79,144
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Washington, DC
$76,163 vs $68,120
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $134,000 | $148,000▲ | -$14,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $103,180 | $113,960▲ | -$10,780 |
| 75th Percentile | $171,520 | $189,440▲ | -$17,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $214,400 | $236,800▲ | -$22,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 187 | -35 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5%▲ | 6.85% | -0.34999999999999964% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $88,158▲ | $79,144 | +$9,014 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $115,768 | $127,384▲ | -$11,616 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $76,163▲ | $68,120 | +$8,043 |
| Total Employment | 36,000 | 54,400 | -18,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $14,000 more (median: $134,000 vs $148,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 187), Washington, DC provides better purchasing power ($88,158 vs $79,144 equivalent). Washington, DC has the lower state tax rate (6.5% 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.