Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Richmond, VA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Richmond, VA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$108,000 vs $148,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$106,931 vs $91,358
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$93,123 vs $80,194
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $108,000 | $148,000▲ | -$40,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,000 | $112,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $140,000 | $192,000▲ | -$52,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $175,000 | $240,000▲ | -$65,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 162 | -61 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75% | 5%▲ | +0.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $106,931▲ | $91,358 | +$15,573 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $94,054 | $129,914▲ | -$35,860 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $93,123▲ | $80,194 | +$12,929 |
| Total Employment | 4,000 | 14,000 | -10,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $40,000 more (median: $108,000 vs $148,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 162), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($106,931 vs $91,358 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 5.75%).
4More Data Scientist City Comparisons
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.