Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Richmond, VA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Richmond, VA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$101,000 vs $136,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$100,000 vs $83,951
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$87,087 vs $73,692
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $101,000 | $136,000▲ | -$35,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $77,770 | $104,720▲ | -$26,950 |
| 75th Percentile | $129,280 | $174,080▲ | -$44,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $161,600 | $217,600▲ | -$56,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 162 | -61 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75% | 5%▲ | +0.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $100,000▲ | $83,951 | +$16,049 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $87,958 | $119,381▲ | -$31,423 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $87,087▲ | $73,692 | +$13,395 |
| Total Employment | 11,200 | 33,600 | -22,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $35,000 more (median: $101,000 vs $136,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 162), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($100,000 vs $83,951 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.