Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: San Diego, CA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in San Diego, CA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$44,000 vs $50,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Diego, CA
$28,947 vs $26,738
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Diego, CA
$24,260 vs $23,013
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $44,000 | $50,000▲ | -$6,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,880 | $38,500▲ | -$4,620 |
| 75th Percentile | $56,320 | $64,000▲ | -$7,680 |
| 90th Percentile | $70,400 | $80,000▲ | -$9,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 187 | -35 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 6.85%▲ | +2.450000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $28,947▲ | $26,738 | +$2,209 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $36,875 | $43,035▲ | -$6,160 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $24,260▲ | $23,013 | +$1,247 |
| Total Employment | 60,000 | 170,000 | -110,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $6,000 more (median: $44,000 vs $50,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 187), San Diego, CA provides better purchasing power ($28,947 vs $26,738 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.