Investment Banker · Salary Comparison · 2026
Investment Banker Salary: Raleigh, NC vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Investment Bankers in Raleigh, NC and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$138,000 vs $185,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$133,981 vs $98,930
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$118,227 vs $85,150
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $138,000 | $185,000▲ | -$47,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $106,260 | $142,450▲ | -$36,190 |
| 75th Percentile | $176,640 | $236,800▲ | -$60,160 |
| 90th Percentile | $220,800 | $296,000▲ | -$75,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 187 | -84 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 6.85% | -2.3499999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $133,981▲ | $98,930 | +$35,051 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $121,774 | $159,231▲ | -$37,457 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $118,227▲ | $85,150 | +$33,077 |
| Total Employment | 17,600 | 54,400 | -36,800 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $47,000 more (median: $138,000 vs $185,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 187), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($133,981 vs $98,930 equivalent). Raleigh, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% vs 6.85%).
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.