Elementary School Teacher · Salary Comparison · 2026
Elementary School Teacher Salary: Richmond, VA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Elementary School Teachers in Richmond, VA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$43,000 vs $57,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$42,574 vs $35,185
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$37,076 vs $30,886
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $43,000 | $57,000▲ | -$14,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,110 | $43,890▲ | -$10,780 |
| 75th Percentile | $55,040 | $72,960▲ | -$17,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $68,800 | $91,200▲ | -$22,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 162 | -61 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75% | 5%▲ | +0.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $42,574▲ | $35,185 | +$7,389 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $37,447 | $50,035▲ | -$12,588 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $37,076▲ | $30,886 | +$6,190 |
| Total Employment | 35,000 | 105,000 | -70,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $14,000 more (median: $43,000 vs $57,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 162), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($42,574 vs $35,185 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 5.75%).
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.