Database Administrator · Salary Comparison · 2026
Database Administrator Salary: Raleigh, NC vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Database Administrators in Raleigh, NC and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$87,000 vs $118,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$84,466 vs $63,102
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$74,535 vs $54,312
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $87,000 | $118,000▲ | -$31,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $66,990 | $90,860▲ | -$23,870 |
| 75th Percentile | $111,360 | $151,040▲ | -$39,680 |
| 90th Percentile | $139,200 | $188,800▲ | -$49,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 187 | -84 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 6.85% | -2.3499999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $84,466▲ | $63,102 | +$21,364 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $76,771 | $101,563▲ | -$24,792 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $74,535▲ | $54,312 | +$20,223 |
| Total Employment | 17,600 | 54,400 | -36,800 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $31,000 more (median: $87,000 vs $118,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 187), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($84,466 vs $63,102 equivalent). Raleigh, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% 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.