Physical Therapist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physical Therapist Salary: Detroit, MI vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physical Therapists in Detroit, MI and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$65,000 vs $101,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Detroit, MI
$73,034 vs $54,011
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Detroit, MI
$64,615 vs $46,487
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Detroit, MI | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $65,000 | $101,000▲ | -$36,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,050 | $77,770▲ | -$27,720 |
| 75th Percentile | $83,200 | $129,280▲ | -$46,080 |
| 90th Percentile | $104,000 | $161,600▲ | -$57,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 89 | 187 | -98 |
| State Income Tax | 4.25%▲ | 6.85% | -2.5999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $73,034▲ | $54,011 | +$19,023 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $57,507 | $86,931▲ | -$29,424 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $64,615▲ | $46,487 | +$18,128 |
| Total Employment | 22,500 | 102,000 | -79,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Detroit, MI minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $36,000 more (median: $65,000 vs $101,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 89 vs 187), Detroit, MI provides better purchasing power ($73,034 vs $54,011 equivalent). Detroit, MI has the lower state tax rate (4.25% 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.