College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Richmond, VA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Richmond, VA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$63,000 vs $85,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$62,376 vs $52,469
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$54,322 vs $46,057
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $63,000 | $85,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,510 | $65,450▲ | -$16,940 |
| 75th Percentile | $80,640 | $108,800▲ | -$28,160 |
| 90th Percentile | $100,800 | $136,000▲ | -$35,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 162 | -61 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75% | 5%▲ | +0.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $62,376▲ | $52,469 | +$9,907 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $54,865 | $74,613▲ | -$19,748 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $54,322▲ | $46,057 | +$8,265 |
| 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 $22,000 more (median: $63,000 vs $85,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 162), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($62,376 vs $52,469 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.