Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Atlanta, GA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Atlanta, GA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$215,000 vs $250,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Atlanta, GA
$199,074 vs $133,690
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Atlanta, GA
$173,846 vs $115,068
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $215,000 | $250,000▲ | -$35,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $161,000 | $188,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $282,000 | $328,000▲ | -$46,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $350,000 | $408,000▲ | -$58,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 187 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 5.49%▲ | 6.85% | -1.3599999999999994% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $199,074▲ | $133,690 | +$65,384 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $187,754 | $215,177▲ | -$27,423 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $173,846▲ | $115,068 | +$58,778 |
| Total Employment | 10,000 | 22,000 | -12,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Atlanta, GA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $35,000 more (median: $215,000 vs $250,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 108 vs 187), Atlanta, GA provides better purchasing power ($199,074 vs $133,690 equivalent). Atlanta, GA has the lower state tax rate (5.49% vs 6.85%).
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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.