College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Phoenix, AZ vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Phoenix, AZ and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$67,000 vs $92,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$65,049 vs $49,198
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$58,602 vs $42,345
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $67,000 | $92,000▲ | -$25,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $51,590 | $70,840▲ | -$19,250 |
| 75th Percentile | $85,760 | $117,760▲ | -$32,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $107,200 | $147,200▲ | -$40,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 187 | -84 |
| State Income Tax | 2.5%▲ | 6.85% | -4.35% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $65,049▲ | $49,198 | +$15,851 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $60,360 | $79,185▲ | -$18,825 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $58,602▲ | $42,345 | +$16,257 |
| Total Employment | 37,500 | 102,000 | -64,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Phoenix, AZ minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $25,000 more (median: $67,000 vs $92,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 187), Phoenix, AZ provides better purchasing power ($65,049 vs $49,198 equivalent). Phoenix, AZ has the lower state tax rate (2.5% 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.