Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Richmond, VA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Richmond, VA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$101,000 vs $148,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$100,000 vs $79,144
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$87,087 vs $68,120
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $101,000 | $148,000▲ | -$47,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $77,770 | $113,960▲ | -$36,190 |
| 75th Percentile | $129,280 | $189,440▲ | -$60,160 |
| 90th Percentile | $161,600 | $236,800▲ | -$75,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 187 | -86 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75%▲ | 6.85% | -1.0999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $100,000▲ | $79,144 | +$20,856 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $87,958 | $127,384▲ | -$39,426 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $87,087▲ | $68,120 | +$18,967 |
| Total Employment | 11,200 | 54,400 | -43,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $47,000 more (median: $101,000 vs $148,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 187), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($100,000 vs $79,144 equivalent). Richmond, VA has the lower state tax rate (5.75% vs 6.85%).
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.