Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: Richmond, VA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in Richmond, VA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$66,000 vs $75,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$65,347 vs $60,484
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$56,908 vs $55,887
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $66,000 | $75,000▲ | -$9,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,000 | $57,000▲ | -$7,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $85,000 | $97,000▲ | -$12,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $107,000 | $122,000▲ | -$15,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 124 | -23 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75% | 0%▲ | +5.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $65,347▲ | $60,484 | +$4,863 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $57,477 | $69,300▲ | -$11,823 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $56,908▲ | $55,887 | +$1,021 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 14,000 | -6,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $9,000 more (median: $66,000 vs $75,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 124), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($65,347 vs $60,484 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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.