College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Detroit, MI vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Detroit, MI and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$59,000 vs $92,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Detroit, MI
$66,292 vs $49,198
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Detroit, MI
$58,651 vs $42,345
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Detroit, MI | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $59,000 | $92,000▲ | -$33,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $45,430 | $70,840▲ | -$25,410 |
| 75th Percentile | $75,520 | $117,760▲ | -$42,240 |
| 90th Percentile | $94,400 | $147,200▲ | -$52,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 89 | 187 | -98 |
| State Income Tax | 4.25%▲ | 6.85% | -2.5999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $66,292▲ | $49,198 | +$17,094 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $52,199 | $79,185▲ | -$26,986 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $58,651▲ | $42,345 | +$16,306 |
| Total Employment | 22,500 | 102,000 | -79,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Detroit, MI minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $33,000 more (median: $59,000 vs $92,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 89 vs 187), Detroit, MI provides better purchasing power ($66,292 vs $49,198 equivalent). Detroit, MI has the lower state tax rate (4.25% 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.