Cybersecurity Analyst · Salary Comparison · 2026
Cybersecurity Analyst Salary: Richmond, VA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Cybersecurity Analysts 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
$94,000 vs $144,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$93,069 vs $77,419
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$81,051 vs $64,883
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $94,000 | $144,000▲ | -$50,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $72,380 | $110,880▲ | -$38,500 |
| 75th Percentile | $120,320 | $184,320▲ | -$64,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $150,400 | $230,400▲ | -$80,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 186 | -85 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75%▲ | 9.3% | -3.5500000000000007% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $93,069▲ | $77,419 | +$15,650 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $81,862 | $120,682▲ | -$38,820 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $81,051▲ | $64,883 | +$16,168 |
| Total Employment | 11,200 | 41,600 | -30,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $50,000 more (median: $94,000 vs $144,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 186), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($93,069 vs $77,419 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.