Investment Banker · Salary Comparison · 2026
Investment Banker Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Investment Bankers 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
$165,000 vs $185,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ New York, NY
$95,376 vs $98,930
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ New York, NY
$79,931 vs $85,150
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $165,000 | $185,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $127,050 | $142,450▲ | -$15,400 |
| 75th Percentile | $211,200 | $236,800▲ | -$25,600 |
| 90th Percentile | $264,000 | $296,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 187 | -14 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 6.85%▲ | +2.450000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $95,376 | $98,930▲ | -$3,554 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $138,281 | $159,231▲ | -$20,950 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $79,931 | $85,150▲ | -$5,219 |
| Total Employment | 38,400 | 54,400 | -16,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $20,000 more (median: $165,000 vs $185,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 187), New York, NY provides better purchasing power ($95,376 vs $98,930 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.