Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: San Diego, CA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians 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
$245,000 vs $250,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Diego, CA
$161,184 vs $133,690
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Diego, CA
$135,084 vs $115,068
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $245,000 | $250,000▲ | -$5,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $184,000 | $188,000▲ | -$4,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $320,000 | $328,000▲ | -$8,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $398,000 | $408,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 187 | -35 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 6.85%▲ | +2.450000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $161,184▲ | $133,690 | +$27,494 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $205,327 | $215,177▲ | -$9,850 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $135,084▲ | $115,068 | +$20,016 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 22,000 | -14,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $5,000 more (median: $245,000 vs $250,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 187), San Diego, CA provides better purchasing power ($161,184 vs $133,690 equivalent). New York, NY has the lower state tax rate (6.85% vs 9.3%).
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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.