Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Richmond, VA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists 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
$108,000 vs $158,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$106,931 vs $84,492
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$93,123 vs $72,723
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $108,000 | $158,000▲ | -$50,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,000 | $120,000▲ | -$38,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $140,000 | $205,000▲ | -$65,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $175,000 | $258,000▲ | -$83,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 187 | -86 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75%▲ | 6.85% | -1.0999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $106,931▲ | $84,492 | +$22,439 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $94,054 | $135,992▲ | -$41,938 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $93,123▲ | $72,723 | +$20,400 |
| Total Employment | 4,000 | 24,000 | -20,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $50,000 more (median: $108,000 vs $158,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 187), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($106,931 vs $84,492 equivalent). Richmond, VA has the lower state tax rate (5.75% vs 6.85%).
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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.