Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in Los Angeles, CA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$56,000 vs $62,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ New York, NY
$32,370 vs $33,155
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ New York, NY
$27,128 vs $28,537
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $56,000 | $62,000▲ | -$6,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $43,120 | $47,740▲ | -$4,620 |
| 75th Percentile | $71,680 | $79,360▲ | -$7,680 |
| 90th Percentile | $89,600 | $99,200▲ | -$9,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 187 | -14 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 6.85%▲ | +2.450000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $32,370 | $33,155▲ | -$785 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $46,932 | $53,364▲ | -$6,432 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $27,128 | $28,537▲ | -$1,409 |
| Total Employment | 120,000 | 170,000 | -50,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $6,000 more (median: $56,000 vs $62,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 187), New York, NY provides better purchasing power ($32,370 vs $33,155 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.