Project Manager · Salary Comparison · 2026
Project Manager Salary: San Diego, CA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Project Managers 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
$104,000 vs $121,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Diego, CA
$68,421 vs $64,706
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Diego, CA
$57,341 vs $55,693
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $104,000 | $121,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,080 | $93,170▲ | -$13,090 |
| 75th Percentile | $133,120 | $154,880▲ | -$21,760 |
| 90th Percentile | $166,400 | $193,600▲ | -$27,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 187 | -35 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 6.85%▲ | +2.450000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $68,421▲ | $64,706 | +$3,715 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $87,159 | $104,145▲ | -$16,986 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $57,341▲ | $55,693 | +$1,648 |
| Total Employment | 19,200 | 54,400 | -35,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $17,000 more (median: $104,000 vs $121,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 187), San Diego, CA provides better purchasing power ($68,421 vs $64,706 equivalent). New York, NY has the lower state tax rate (6.85% vs 9.3%).
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.