Software Developer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Software Developer Salary: Raleigh, NC vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Software Developers in Raleigh, NC and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$125,000 vs $168,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$121,359 vs $89,840
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$107,090 vs $77,326
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $125,000 | $168,000▲ | -$43,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $96,000 | $128,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $162,000 | $215,000▲ | -$53,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $200,000 | $265,000▲ | -$65,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 187 | -84 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 6.85% | -2.3499999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $121,359▲ | $89,840 | +$31,519 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $110,303 | $144,599▲ | -$34,296 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $107,090▲ | $77,326 | +$29,764 |
| Total Employment | 22,000 | 68,000 | -46,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $43,000 more (median: $125,000 vs $168,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 187), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($121,359 vs $89,840 equivalent). Raleigh, 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.