College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: San Diego, CA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors 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
$80,000 vs $92,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Diego, CA
$52,632 vs $49,198
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Diego, CA
$44,109 vs $42,345
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $80,000 | $92,000▲ | -$12,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $61,600 | $70,840▲ | -$9,240 |
| 75th Percentile | $102,400 | $117,760▲ | -$15,360 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,000 | $147,200▲ | -$19,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 187 | -35 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 6.85%▲ | +2.450000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $52,632▲ | $49,198 | +$3,434 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $67,045 | $79,185▲ | -$12,140 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $44,109▲ | $42,345 | +$1,764 |
| Total Employment | 36,000 | 102,000 | -66,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $12,000 more (median: $80,000 vs $92,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 187), San Diego, CA provides better purchasing power ($52,632 vs $49,198 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.