College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Richmond, VA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors 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
$63,000 vs $92,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$62,376 vs $49,198
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$54,322 vs $42,345
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $63,000 | $92,000▲ | -$29,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,510 | $70,840▲ | -$22,330 |
| 75th Percentile | $80,640 | $117,760▲ | -$37,120 |
| 90th Percentile | $100,800 | $147,200▲ | -$46,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 187 | -86 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75%▲ | 6.85% | -1.0999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $62,376▲ | $49,198 | +$13,178 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $54,865 | $79,185▲ | -$24,320 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $54,322▲ | $42,345 | +$11,977 |
| Total Employment | 21,000 | 102,000 | -81,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $29,000 more (median: $63,000 vs $92,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 187), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($62,376 vs $49,198 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.