Financial Analyst · Salary Comparison · 2026
Financial Analyst Salary: Seattle, WA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Financial Analysts in Seattle, WA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$105,000 vs $128,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ New York, NY
$64,815 vs $68,449
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$59,889 vs $58,914
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $105,000 | $128,000▲ | -$23,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,000 | $95,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $138,000 | $170,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $177,000 | $218,000▲ | -$41,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 187 | -25 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $64,815 | $68,449▲ | -$3,634 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $97,020 | $110,170▲ | -$13,150 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $59,889▲ | $58,914 | +$975 |
| Total Employment | 10,000 | 42,000 | -32,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $23,000 more (median: $105,000 vs $128,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 187), New York, NY provides better purchasing power ($64,815 vs $68,449 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.