Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Phoenix, AZ vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians in Phoenix, AZ 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
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$208,738 vs $133,690
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$188,052 vs $115,068
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | 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 | 103 | 187 | -84 |
| State Income Tax | 2.5%▲ | 6.85% | -4.35% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $208,738▲ | $133,690 | +$75,048 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $193,694 | $215,177▲ | -$21,483 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $188,052▲ | $115,068 | +$72,984 |
| Total Employment | 10,000 | 22,000 | -12,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Phoenix, AZ 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 103 vs 187), Phoenix, AZ provides better purchasing power ($208,738 vs $133,690 equivalent). Phoenix, AZ has the lower state tax rate (2.5% 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.