Business Analyst · Salary Comparison · 2026
Business Analyst Salary: Richmond, VA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Business Analysts in Richmond, VA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$78,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$77,228 vs $64,815
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$67,255 vs $56,894
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $78,000 | $105,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $60,060 | $80,850▲ | -$20,790 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,840 | $134,400▲ | -$34,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $124,800 | $168,000▲ | -$43,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 162 | -61 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75% | 5%▲ | +0.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $77,228▲ | $64,815 | +$12,413 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $67,928 | $92,169▲ | -$24,241 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $67,255▲ | $56,894 | +$10,361 |
| Total Employment | 21,000 | 63,000 | -42,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $27,000 more (median: $78,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 162), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($77,228 vs $64,815 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.