College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Richmond, VA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Richmond, VA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$63,000 vs $96,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$62,376 vs $51,613
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$54,322 vs $43,255
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $63,000 | $96,000▲ | -$33,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,510 | $73,920▲ | -$25,410 |
| 75th Percentile | $80,640 | $122,880▲ | -$42,240 |
| 90th Percentile | $100,800 | $153,600▲ | -$52,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 186 | -85 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75%▲ | 9.3% | -3.5500000000000007% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $62,376▲ | $51,613 | +$10,763 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $54,865 | $80,455▲ | -$25,590 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $54,322▲ | $43,255 | +$11,067 |
| Total Employment | 21,000 | 78,000 | -57,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $33,000 more (median: $63,000 vs $96,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 186), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($62,376 vs $51,613 equivalent). Richmond, VA has the lower state tax rate (5.75% vs 9.3%).
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.