College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Atlanta, GA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Atlanta, GA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$69,000 vs $92,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Atlanta, GA
$63,889 vs $49,198
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Atlanta, GA
$55,793 vs $42,345
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $69,000 | $92,000▲ | -$23,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $53,130 | $70,840▲ | -$17,710 |
| 75th Percentile | $88,320 | $117,760▲ | -$29,440 |
| 90th Percentile | $110,400 | $147,200▲ | -$36,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 187 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 5.49%▲ | 6.85% | -1.3599999999999994% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $63,889▲ | $49,198 | +$14,691 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $60,256 | $79,185▲ | -$18,929 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $55,793▲ | $42,345 | +$13,448 |
| Total Employment | 45,000 | 102,000 | -57,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Atlanta, GA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $23,000 more (median: $69,000 vs $92,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 108 vs 187), Atlanta, GA provides better purchasing power ($63,889 vs $49,198 equivalent). Atlanta, GA has the lower state tax rate (5.49% 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.