Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: Richmond, VA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in Richmond, VA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$66,000 vs $88,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$65,347 vs $54,321
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$56,908 vs $47,683
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $66,000 | $88,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,000 | $67,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $85,000 | $114,000▲ | -$29,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $107,000 | $143,000▲ | -$36,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 162 | -61 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75% | 5%▲ | +0.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $65,347▲ | $54,321 | +$11,026 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $57,477 | $77,246▲ | -$19,769 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $56,908▲ | $47,683 | +$9,225 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 20,000 | -12,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $22,000 more (median: $66,000 vs $88,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 162), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($65,347 vs $54,321 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 5.75%).
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.