Financial Analyst · Salary Comparison · 2026
Financial Analyst Salary: New York, NY vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Financial Analysts in New York, NY and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$128,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ New York, NY
$68,449 vs $64,815
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$58,914 vs $59,889
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | New York, NY | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $128,000▲ | $105,000 | +$23,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $95,000▲ | $78,000 | +$17,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $170,000▲ | $138,000 | +$32,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $218,000▲ | $177,000 | +$41,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 187 | 162 | +25 |
| State Income Tax | 6.85% | 0%▲ | +6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $68,449▲ | $64,815 | +$3,634 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $110,170▲ | $97,020 | +$13,150 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $58,914 | $59,889▲ | -$975 |
| Total Employment | 42,000 | 10,000 | +32,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = New York, NY minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $23,000 more (median: $128,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 187 vs 162), New York, NY provides better purchasing power ($68,449 vs $64,815 equivalent). Seattle, WA has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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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.