Dental Hygienist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Dental Hygienist Salary: San Diego, CA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Dental Hygienists 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
$65,000 vs $76,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Diego, CA
$42,763 vs $40,642
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Diego, CA
$35,838 vs $34,981
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $65,000 | $76,000▲ | -$11,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,050 | $58,520▲ | -$8,470 |
| 75th Percentile | $83,200 | $97,280▲ | -$14,080 |
| 90th Percentile | $104,000 | $121,600▲ | -$17,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 187 | -35 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 6.85%▲ | +2.450000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $42,763▲ | $40,642 | +$2,121 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $54,474 | $65,414▲ | -$10,940 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $35,838▲ | $34,981 | +$857 |
| Total Employment | 60,000 | 170,000 | -110,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $11,000 more (median: $65,000 vs $76,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 187), San Diego, CA provides better purchasing power ($42,763 vs $40,642 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.