Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Charlotte, NC vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Charlotte, NC and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$208,000 vs $250,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Charlotte, NC
$203,922 vs $133,690
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Charlotte, NC
$179,944 vs $115,068
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $208,000 | $250,000▲ | -$42,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $156,000 | $188,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $272,000 | $328,000▲ | -$56,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $338,000 | $408,000▲ | -$70,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 187 | -85 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 6.85% | -2.3499999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $203,922▲ | $133,690 | +$70,232 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $183,543 | $215,177▲ | -$31,634 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $179,944▲ | $115,068 | +$64,876 |
| Total Employment | 7,000 | 22,000 | -15,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Charlotte, NC minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $42,000 more (median: $208,000 vs $250,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 102 vs 187), Charlotte, NC provides better purchasing power ($203,922 vs $133,690 equivalent). Charlotte, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% 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.