Accountant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Accountant Salary: Richmond, VA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Accountants in Richmond, VA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$66,000 vs $95,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$65,347 vs $51,075
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$56,908 vs $42,804
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $66,000 | $95,000▲ | -$29,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,000 | $72,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $85,000 | $123,000▲ | -$38,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $107,000 | $155,000▲ | -$48,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 186 | -85 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75%▲ | 9.3% | -3.5500000000000007% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $65,347▲ | $51,075 | +$14,272 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $57,477 | $79,616▲ | -$22,139 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $56,908▲ | $42,804 | +$14,104 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 18,000 | -10,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $29,000 more (median: $66,000 vs $95,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 186), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($65,347 vs $51,075 equivalent). Richmond, VA has the lower state tax rate (5.75% 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.